Performance Tech News            from Auto-Ware
January 2011
 
Welcome,
Got FB?  If you enjoy social media, you can join us on Facebook.  We've got our page running and ask you to "like" us;)  Click this Find us on Facebook to see our page

News -  Data Acquisition Classes

 

Start the new year with a huge leap over the competition.  Data acquisition is the biggest advancement in racing in over 30 years.  However, many people are still missing this advantage.

 

Don't have a data system?  No problem!  Here is the opportunity for you to see what can be done with data before making a commitment to buy a system.

 

Already have a data system, but just use it as a fancy dash?  Unlock the incredible power of what you already own. 

 

Satisfaction guaranteed!  To see more details click here but hurry classes start the week of Jan 10th.

Tech Tips -  Aero tufting

 

yarnDecades ago racers started putting yarn on race cars in the name of areo research.  The typical thought was that photographing the yarn while the car was at speed it would show the direction of air flow. The practice has faded from popularity these days due to a lack of understanding of how to use this tool.

 

First, I would suggest not using photos and instead use video as the prices and availability are much more favorable than 20 years ago.  The problem is that still shots may capture yarn that is twirling and appear to be pointing in a direction that is not necessarily the true direction of flow.

 

Another tip is that you can learn more from the yarn more than just the direction of flow.  Separation (flow detachment) and vortexes (which have major aero impacts both good and bad) can be spotted with the yarn even without a camera.

 

The trick is once the car stops, look for tufts that are starting to unravel or that have become very fuzzy.  This is an indication of separation or the presence of a vortex at the point of that particular tuft.

Equation of the Month - Leaf Spring Rate

Got an unmarked leaf spring and not sure of the rate?  Use this handy equation to get a ballpark rate.

(W * N/12)*(1000 * T/L)^3 Where W is the width of the main leaf (inches), N is the number of leafs, T is the thickness of the main leaf (inches), and L is the length of the main leaf (inches).

Please pass this newsletter to your friends and tell them to drop me an email so they can get the Performance Tech News, too.
 
 
 
Thanks,
John Block
Auto-Ware