In this post, we explain one of the most critical elements that influence a winged sprint car's performance are the aerodynamics of its wings. These components are not merely for aesthetics; they are engineered to maximise stability, downforce, and speed.
What do both wings generally do?
Both wings are adjustable, allowing teams to fine-tune the car's handling characteristics based on track conditions and driver preference. There are two main types of wings:
Top Wing
Mounted on the roof of the car. The top wing is the larger of the two wings and is crucial for providing downforce. It helps to keep the car stable in turns and provides traction to the rear wheels. It usually features side panels (also called sideboards) to help control airflow and provide lateral stability.
Front Wing
Positioned at the front of the car, typically just above or ahead of the front axle. The front wing helps to balance the downforce between the front and rear of the car. It ensures that the front wheels maintain contact with the ground, aiding in steering and overall stability.
How does the angle of the wing impact performance?
The angle of attack is a crucial factor in determining the aerodynamic efficiency of sprint car wings. It refers to the angle between the wing's chord line (an imaginary line from the leading edge to the trailing edge) and the oncoming airflow. Adjusting this angle can significantly impact the car's performance:
High Angle of Attack
This setting increases downforce, enhancing traction, especially during cornering. However, it also increases drag, which can reduce the car's straight-line speed.
Low Angle of Attack
Conversely, a lower angle reduces drag, allowing for higher top speeds but decreases downforce, potentially compromising grip in corners.
What are the most common wing angles?
Sprint car wing angles are typically adjustable, allowing teams to tailor the aerodynamic setup to track conditions and driver preferences. Commonly used angles include:
Front Wing
Angles typically range from 15 to 25 degrees. A steeper angle (closer to 25 degrees) increases downforce, which is beneficial on tighter, slower tracks.
Rear Wing
Angles range from 25 to 35 degrees. Higher angles (closer to 35 degrees) provide more downforce and are often used on tracks with more turns, where maximum traction is needed.
How do I balancing downforce and drag?
Achieving the right balance between downforce and drag is essential for sprint car performance:
Downforce
This force presses the car onto the track, improving tire grip and allowing for faster, more stable cornering. The main wing, positioned above the roll cage, is primarily responsible for generating downforce.
Drag
While downforce is necessary, it comes with the trade-off of drag—a resistive force that opposes the car's motion. Managing this balance is crucial; excessive drag can significantly slow the car on straights.
What are the dynatmics of front and top rear wings?
Front Wing
The front wing plays a dual role in creating downforce and drag. Its angle influences the airflow towards the rear wing. If the front wing is set incorrectly, it can produce turbulent airflow, diminishing the rear wing's efficiency.
Rear Wing
Positioned to generate significant downforce, the rear wing’s performance is affected by the turbulent air from the front wing. Properly managing its angle of attack can prevent the rear wing from stalling—a condition where the wing produces much more drag and less downforce.
What is a wicker bill?
A wicker bill is a small, vertical tab mounted at the trailing edge of the wing. It plays a critical role in enhancing the aerodynamic performance of sprint car wings:
By altering the airflow over the wing, a wicker bill increases the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces, thereby boosting downforce. While it increases downforce, a wicker bill also adds drag. This trade-off must be managed carefully depending on track conditions and race strategy. Many wicker bills are adjustable, allowing teams to fine-tune the aerodynamic balance for different tracks or changing conditions during a race meeting.
In Australia you can run flat or a dished wing what is the difference?
Sprint car wings can be categorized into two main types: flat and dished.
Flat Wings
These are simple, straight wings with a flat surface. They provide a consistent and predictable amount of downforce but can be less efficient at generating maximum downforce compared to dished wings.
Dished Wings
These wings have a curved or dished shape, which can create more downforce by channelling airflow more effectively. Dished wings are often used when higher downforce is needed, such as on tracks with more turns. However, they can also create more drag, which must be balanced against the downforce benefits.
How does aerodynamic behavior vary in different driving conditions?
The aerodynamics of sprint cars vary significantly between straight sections and turns:
Straights
On straight paths, the objective is to minimize drag while maintaining sufficient downforce to keep the car stable. Adjustments to both front and rear wings can help achieve this delicate balance.
Turns
During turns, particularly in slides, the aerodynamic forces shift. The outer endplate can reduce downforce due to air blanketing, while the inner endplate might increase it slightly. Managing these transitions smoothly is key to maintaining control and speed through the corners.
What are practical adjustments for optimal performance?
Effective aerodynamic tuning involves continuous testing and iterative adjustments:
Wing Angle Adjustments
Fine-tuning the angles of both front and rear wings can optimise the balance between downforce and drag, enhancing overall performance.
Wing Position Adjustments
Moving a sprint car's top wing forward increases downforce on the front wheels, enhancing front-end grip and steering response, which improves cornering ability and control, especially on tighter or tacky tracks. However, it can reduce rear-end traction, leading to potential loss of grip on the rear wheels. Conversely, moving the wing backward increases downforce on the rear wheels, enhancing rear-end traction and stability, which improves acceleration and straight-line speed on longer or slick tracks. However, this can make the front end feel lighter and less responsive, potentially causing understeer.
Real-World Applications and Considerations
Optimizing sprint car aerodynamics involves fine-tuning wing angles and understanding the impact of various aerodynamic components, such as wicker bills and the differences between flat and dished wings. Finding the right balance between downforce and drag is essential for maximizing traction and control. Adjusting the angle of attack for both front and rear wings can enhance performance on different track conditions. Effective aerodynamic tuning, allows racers to achieve superior speed and stability, ensuring competitive edge and optimal performance on the track.
Photo of Taylor Made Wings in production - Taylor Made Wings are Australia's top and possibly only custom sprint car wing manufacturer.