Well, after discussions with the Dean there is progress here in the UK. Definite keenness to assist with some tools here and the like so step one complete.
Step two is working out which software is best to design it in so it can be easily translated to the dynamic fluid analysis software that we wish to use (think virtual wind tunnel) and we have done that. It will be Rhino (version 5) using a plug in called T-splines which will allow excellent 3D flowing design capabilities with very elegant editing capabilities. It makes digital models that can be easily exported into the software we wish to use for wind tunnelling the shape.
Step Three is learning this software which I started two weeks ago and am now understanding it well enough to start pushing out some shapes that I wish to pursue so that is happening too. See first test sketches based on our existing structure with a new simple skin below.
I am re-emersing myself now in aerodynamic literature as I have lost the edge I had a few years back when we were first designing the tank. Also there are a lot more opportunities on a new body to think about as we were working with an existing entity last time which already worked well in an aero sense and the main thing was to not stuff it up.
Below is a sketch I have done in the new software as if we were heading in the long tai, Le Mans Porsche direction (which I see a lot of potential with as per the Oldsmobile aero car) but am looking for something more radical and fun as I don't want to build what everyone has built before. I want to experiment and come up with a new car that uses the lessons of the past but also risks some on new ideas. To us that is what hot rodding is about. Not kit cars from speed shops. Playful smart ideas with existing technology. I am sure there will be bizarre errors (our first steering rack on the tank turned left when we turned the steering wheel right!), but we learn more from our mistakes than our successes so I am not worried about that. What I am worried about is something like Mark Webber's flip on his Le Mans Mercedes and so need to get the safe bit right. We will still be designing with our design mantra, FSB: Fast Safe Beautiful.
I know the trend lately is to be ever more narrow and longer darts but we will not be doing that as we are using the belly tank as a base (like So-Cal did) and I don't want to spoil our current car; I want to keep and race both. With that in mind there are certain disadvantages in having a shorter wider car, but I believe there are certain advantages too which revolve around ground effects. I'll test my ideas under for a while and will start publishing results when we get some good ones for discussion.
I hope that we will get the same level of advice from the streamliner crew as we have had from others in the past as it is a new game we are joining with new rules.
End of update, about to make dinner and watch the US Grand Prix. Last two races for Webber, unluckiest guy in racing.
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