In the ruthless world of auto racing, aerodynamics can make the difference between stunning victory and fiery oblivion. That's why Windshear is plowing $40 million into America's first rolling wind tunnel, a nearly 20,000-square-foot facility in North Carolina with a 10.5-foot-wide treadmill that will be able to simulate speeds of up to 180 mph — perfect for testing Nascar racers.
Instead of simply blowing air at a car, this wind tunnel allows a strapped-in vehicle to "drive." Engineers will analyze airflow around the spinning wheels and beneath the tail, bumper, and undercarriage to get a complete picture of the drag on the car. Sensors under the wheels will measure downforce, which directly affects grip.
When it opens for business in early 2008, the tunnel will be available to well-heeled race teams for roughly $4,000 per hour. Says Windshear technical consultant Ken Anderson, "Not everyone will be able to afford this, but you're not going to stop well-funded teams from doing whatever they can to win." Sounds like a presidential campaign.
What $4,000 an Hour Buys You
1. Variable-speed fan The 5,130-hp, 22-foot-tall fan turns at up to 360 rpm to create winds more powerful than a category 5 hurricane.
2. Heat exchanger This keeps air temperature at a rock-solid 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so eggheads can get consistent results.
3 Rolling road A thin cushion of air lets the 1 mm-thick stainless steel belt run at 180 mph without burning up from the friction.
4 Control room Team engineers inside will scrutinize their car's behavior as operators tweak factors like ground clearance and yaw.
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