Side Skirt Re-direct Like F-1

[GasSavers_BMac]

Was thinking this morning on the way in to work about a re-direct for air as it comes off of the front tire. Like the body of an F-1, it would throw the air out to the side instead of letting it go under the vehicle. That would let less air go under. Maybe match it down from the back of the wheel well.

[GasSavers_Graeme]

BMac, I've been thinking about the same area. If you look at F1, funny cars and pro-stocks you'll see the area is radiused into the side of the vehicle. Even the new Corvette has a sharp break at the front of the wheel well and a radius to the back side. How would your diverter work to ease the flow out of the wheel well and along the side of the vehicle?

[Bill in Houston]

Insights have a radius in this area as well. I can't tell if Graeme and I are talking about the same thing you are, BMac.

[kitcar]

When I designed my side skirts, I added a skirt on the inside of the wheel well behind the tire to do just that. I got an extra .2 with it on there. I also added a 30 degree vertical spoiler (for want of a better term) at the rear wheel to divert air from it.

Another thought is why divert the air after the front wheel? Why not add a canard in front of it to help eliminate it all together?

[GasSavers_BMac]

Well, I was thinking of bending the side skirt like Stinkerbutt's. Just bend it so it starts from inside the front tire then bends to the outside of the vehicle.

Next time it rains, watch the vehicle going down the hwy and see where the wind and water comes from and goes around the wheel wells.

[brucepick]

Somebody post some pics of what you're talking about please?

The references to F-1's and funny cars are great for those of us who follow those. I for one would have to do an internet search to dig around and figure out what you have in mind.

Thanks.

[GasSavers_BMac]

http://www.fluent.com/solutions/auto...rodynamics.pdf

There it is behind the front wheel next to the chassis.

[brucepick]

Ah yes - thanks! That helps.

[GasSavers_Graeme]

OK, I think I got it. The F1 car has room for a deflector that has a fairly gentle sweep to the outside--so the air has distance/time to be diverted. Just went outside to look at my '05 Colorado. The wheel wells don't provide the same distance/time to move the air. The factory did a pretty good job at fairing the upper part of the wheel wells. It's possible that a lower extension could be fabricated that attached to the frame (parallel to air flow) and then swept out through the lower part of the wheel opening to the outside of the body. If the deflector hung down below the body line it would seem to act a bit like a mudflap. Any research on mudflaps and aero effect?