We just spent a very informative day in the new Darko wind tunnel here in Ogden, Utah with the 631 comp coupe. This type of testing on full scale vehicles with up to 25 square feet of frontal area has traditionally been very difficult to access, very expensive to accomplish, and required long travel distances to reach. The Darko operation recently opened by Layne Christensen has solved many of these issues for land speed racers, both car and motorcycle. The tunnel itself is similar to A2 back east, but only a couple miles east of the I-15 12th street exit in Ogden, Utah. Test time in this tunnel is filling up quickly with bicyclists scheduled for a seminar with a nationally aclaimed aerodynamicist during the second week of July and the olympic ski jumping team "flying" in the tunnel during the third week of July. Many of you will drive past this facility on your way to Bonneville, or be close enough to consider this type of testing as part of your land speed racing programs. It is only 140 miles from Wendover and 30 miles north of the SLC airport. I think it is a wonderful opportunity to have access to this type of facility for land speed aerodynamic testing in this area. Both the Burkdoll and Nish teams have taken advantage of this testing capability as well.
If you would like to discuss your testing needs and scheduling details contact Layne Christensen at 801-648-7016, or info@darkotech.com. He will have a website and promotional materials available in the near future, but the facility is fully operational now.
Remember "its all about the air" and good luck with your projects.
Tom Burkland