Experimental Study of the Aerodynamic Interaction Between an Enclosed-Wheel Racing-Car and Its Rear Wing

Abstract

A quarter-scale model of an enclosed wheel racing car was tested using the elevated ground plane wind tunnel technique. To increase the aerodynamic down force, two longitudinal underbody channels were built into the vehicle’s lower surface, and a rear wing was added. The effect of these underbody channels, and of wing angle of attack and position, on the vehicle’s drag and down force was experimentally investigated. Results of the experiments indicate that the flow under the car is affected by the presence of the wheels, and the vehicle without a rear wing generates only a negligible downforce. However, the addition of a rear wing enhanced the flow under the vehicle body, resulting in an increased aerodynamic downforce.