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Old 29 Feb 2008, 07:51 (Ref:2140646)   #8
Smokey 6 litre
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Join Date: Jan 2003
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The Total Perspective Vortex
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Smokey 6 litre should be qualifying in the top 10 on the grid
Because all structures deform under load to some extent it is entirely possible to predict the deformation and use it to lower the drag of the vehicle at high speed, taking it the extent of the entire car shell deforming is an interesting concept.

It would take massive amounts of CFD and Windtunnel simulation but it is already employed to an extent by some F1 teams, i recall Red Bull having to stiffen some components in the rear wing structure because it was deemed to be moving too much, and the row about Ferrari's 'flexi-floor' at the begining of last season.

Problems arising from continued deformation of body pannels are the expense of development and worries about material fatigue caused by the continued loading and unloading of the structure.
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