Transparent body parts

[PlatinumZealot]

Some technical rules require bodywork to be visible from beneath or not visible from that position.

Tranparent bodyparts should get around some of the rules I think.

To give an example, the teams cut slots through the "boomerang" over the bargeboard fins that are vertical projections of gaps btween said fins. We know these slots can trip the air a little because we see teams tape similar small gaps on the engine cover.

I wonder if the slots could be filled with transparent material to satisfy the visibikity rules, or even the entire peice of bodywork be made of transparent material. There should be some aerobenefits from this.

[godlameroso]

There is in practice, invisible body work. Our old friend Mr. Boundary R. Layer, it's a grower not a shower.

[hollus]

Visible at which wavelenght? Look, here, in X-rays it is perfectly visible!

[J.A.W.]

Visible at which wavelenght? Look, here, in X-rays it is perfectly visible!

Look where?
Ah, I see now...

Dang, hollus, I knew I should've gone for the 'x-ray specs', & not them bloody useless 'sea monkeys'!

[J.A.W.]

Some technical rules require bodywork to be visible from beneath or not visible from that position.

Tranparent bodyparts should get around some of the rules I think.

To give an example, the teams cut slots through the "boomerang" over the bargeboard fins that are vertical projections of gaps btween said fins. We know these slots can trip the air a little because we see teams tape similar small gaps on the engine cover.

I wonder if the slots could be filled with transparent material to satisfy the visibikity rules, or even the entire peice of bodywork be made of transparent material. There should be some aerobenefits from this.

Yeah, them NASCAR boys done tried that ah, dodge - decades ago... promptly banned, 'cept off course...

[PhillipM]

If it was that easy, by your own admission, they'd just tape over the gaps. They don't, so there there must be something defining it in the rules/tech directives.

[Bandit1216]

There must be, if not there will be right after the first team tries it. Except for the aero screen/canopy. Might be wise to make that transparent should it ever come.

[wesley123]

Some technical rules require bodywork to be visible from beneath or not visible from that position.

Tranparent bodyparts should get around some of the rules I think.

To give an example, the teams cut slots through the "boomerang" over the bargeboard fins that are vertical projections of gaps btween said fins. We know these slots can trip the air a little because we see teams tape similar small gaps on the engine cover.

I wonder if the slots could be filled with transparent material to satisfy the visibikity rules, or even the entire peice of bodywork be made of transparent material. There should be some aerobenefits from this.

No, because the whole intent of the rule is that it is shadowed with a material. Also, transparent materials would still be visible since they'll reflect light in a certain way.

[Hoffman900]

Some technical rules require bodywork to be visible from beneath or not visible from that position.

Tranparent bodyparts should get around some of the rules I think.

To give an example, the teams cut slots through the "boomerang" over the bargeboard fins that are vertical projections of gaps btween said fins. We know these slots can trip the air a little because we see teams tape similar small gaps on the engine cover.

I wonder if the slots could be filled with transparent material to satisfy the visibikity rules, or even the entire peice of bodywork be made of transparent material. There should be some aerobenefits from this.

No, because the whole intent of the rule is that it is shadowed with a material. Also, transparent materials would still be visible since they'll reflect light in a certain way.

Exactly.

If transparent panels were "legal", all the cars would have "transparent" fenders.

From an aero perspective, they do in a way have an invisible body over the car... they're just doing it with air, or at least trying the best they can to.

[SiLo]

Similarly, I have always wondered about the teams using porous aero surfaces, that bleed air through themselves at high speeds...