"Downforce" vs Tailwind.
02-17-2006, 09:51 AM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: 17 ft below sea level.
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 0
Received 21 Likes
on
16 Posts
"Downforce" vs Tailwind.
Driving home this afternoon, I had a dead-on tailwind (of about 8 mph 
) driving at 50 mph on a straight stretch of road.
Suddenly the car felt lighter at the front, not much, but I did notice it. And it was only at that road (with the tailwind)
Is it just my imagination or has anyone else noticed it too?
(great excuse to go for a drive
)
Its probably the more responsive steering, giving more feedback.. right?
) driving at 50 mph on a straight stretch of road.Suddenly the car felt lighter at the front, not much, but I did notice it. And it was only at that road (with the tailwind)
Is it just my imagination or has anyone else noticed it too?
(great excuse to go for a drive
)Its probably the more responsive steering, giving more feedback.. right?
02-17-2006, 01:22 PM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Gie
Posts: 1,670
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Absolute Velocity = 50 MPH <Ground Speed>
Relative Velocity = 42 MPH <Moving Air as Reference Frame>
Your car is experiencing 29.44% less lift and drag with an 8 MPH tailwind at 50 MPH compared to no wind. This could account for a change in chassis feel.
In reality, no car makes any significant downforce at 40-50 MPH. What you felt is most likely an irregularity in the wind which caused a momentary low pressure zone on the front end of the car.
Drive right next to a semi to find out what wind irregularity means.
Relative Velocity = 42 MPH <Moving Air as Reference Frame>
Your car is experiencing 29.44% less lift and drag with an 8 MPH tailwind at 50 MPH compared to no wind. This could account for a change in chassis feel.
In reality, no car makes any significant downforce at 40-50 MPH. What you felt is most likely an irregularity in the wind which caused a momentary low pressure zone on the front end of the car.
Drive right next to a semi to find out what wind irregularity means.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post