Author Topic: Article. Bloodhound Team measures flatness of S Africa Dry Lake Bed with lasers.  (Read 7764 times)

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Offline TD

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Craig Breedlove and others have said that when you're going extremely fast,
that little general elevation changes in the ground result in an airborne vehicle
much of the time during the high-speed part of the run -- which, of course,
makes steering pretty iffy.  I think this is one reason that cars will have to
rely on aerodynamics acting on the steered wheel(s), and possibly also on the
fuselage as well.

...

As speeds increase and it therefore becomes increasingly difficult for the wheels
to stay in contact with the ground, should/can we expect to see these vehicles
designed to purposefully lift the wheels from the ground at speed, and use wings
to support the vehicle, with only some "token wheels" rolling along, and touching
the ground much of the time?  If so, what should the rules be, and how would
they be enforceable? ...

It may be that there should be a rule that limits the use of hardware or design
intended to intentionally (I know that this is a mushy, hard-to-prove word) lift
the vehicle at high speed.  Or not.  Actually, it may be very nearly impossible
for any land speed car (or bike) to keep any part in continuous contact with
the ground at (say) 600+ mph.  An extreme example would be something that
looks like a jet fighter aircraft flying with the main fuselage just a couple feet
above the ground, and a tiny little wheel (say about 2 inches in diameter?) on
a relatively stiff trailing link, with the wheel touching the ground most of the
time.  Seems silly, don'cha think?  But how can the existing (or future) rules
specifically prohibit this?  Should they?


The (2014) FIA International Sporting Code has a loose definition of automobiles and other vehicles:

13. Land Vehicle, Automobile, Special Vehicle, Ground Effect Vehicle

Land Vehicle :

Vehicle propelled by its own means in constant contact with the ground either directly by mechanical means or indirectly by ground effect, and the motive power and steering system of which are constantly and entirely controlled by a driver on board the vehicle.

Automobile :

A land vehicle propelled by its own means, running on at least four wheels not aligned, which must always be in contact with the ground; the steering must be ensured by at least two of the wheels, and the propulsion by at least two of the wheels.

Special Vehicles :

Vehicles on at least four wheels which are propelled otherwise than through their wheels.

Ground Effect Vehicle :

Vehicle whose bearing on the ground is maintained by means of a pressurised air cushion.

/end

Not sure how a given vehicle is classified, or by whom...

Offline TrickyDicky

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The (2014) FIA International Sporting Code has a loose definition of automobiles and other vehicles:

13. Land Vehicle, Automobile, Special Vehicle, Ground Effect Vehicle

Land Vehicle :

Vehicle propelled by its own means in constant contact with the ground either directly by mechanical means or indirectly by ground effect, and the motive power and steering system of which are constantly and entirely controlled by a driver on board the vehicle.

Automobile :

A land vehicle propelled by its own means, running on at least four wheels not aligned, which must always be in contact with the ground; the steering must be ensured by at least two of the wheels, and the propulsion by at least two of the wheels.

Special Vehicles :

Vehicles on at least four wheels which are propelled otherwise than through their wheels.

Ground Effect Vehicle :

Vehicle whose bearing on the ground is maintained by means of a pressurised air cushion.

/end

Not sure how a given vehicle is classified, or by whom...


These definitions were revamped/replaced in 2015:

Automobile:

Vehicle running in constant contact with the ground (or ice) on at least four non‐aligned wheels, of which at least two are used for steering and at least two for propulsion; the propulsion and steering of which are constantly and entirely controlled by a Driver on board the vehicle (other terms including but not limited to car, truck, and kart may be used interchangeably with Automobile, as appropriate within types of competition).

Special Automobile:

Vehicles on at least four wheels which are propelled otherwise than through their wheels.


No "Land Vehicle"; no "Ground Effect Vehicle".

As discussed in another thread, this has the unfortunate (and unintended) side effect that statements referring to "Automobiles" could be read as not applying to "Special Automobiles".