The aerodynamic tuning of a group sports racing car

• Published in: Journal of wind engineering and industrial aerodynamics Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 279 - 289
• Main Authors: Barnard, R.H., Vaughan, H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 1986
• ISSN: 0167-6105; 1872-8197
• DOI: 10.1016/0167-6105(86)90091-7

This paper describes a wind-tunnel test program designed to optimise and validate some aerodynamic features on the Tiga GC83 sports racing car which won four races in the Group C2 category in the following season (1983). Particular attention was paid to the underbody venturi shape, the placing of the rear aerofoil, and the vehicle attitude. The experiments were conducted on a 1 8 scale wind-tunnel model at the Hatfield Polytechnic, and the results are compared with those obtained from wind-tunnel tests on a full-size similar vehicle undertaken at the Lockheed Georgia test facility. Despite the small scale of the model, good agreement was found in corresponding cases. The Group C regulations, which require an area of flat floor, imposed considerable problems in the design of a suitable underbody venturi, but it was found that the use of such a venturi was well worthwhile. The lift and drag coefficients were found to be sensitive to vehicle attitude, and the implications are discussed.