"Downforce" vs Tailwind.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: 17 ft below sea level.
"Downforce" vs Tailwind.
Driving home this afternoon, I had a dead-on tailwind (of about 8 mph 
) driving at 50 mph on a straight stretch of road.
Suddenly the car felt lighter at the front, not much, but I did notice it. And it was only at that road (with the tailwind)
Is it just my imagination or has anyone else noticed it too?
(great excuse to go for a drive
)
Its probably the more responsive steering, giving more feedback.. right?
) driving at 50 mph on a straight stretch of road.Suddenly the car felt lighter at the front, not much, but I did notice it. And it was only at that road (with the tailwind)
Is it just my imagination or has anyone else noticed it too?
(great excuse to go for a drive
)Its probably the more responsive steering, giving more feedback.. right?
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,670
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From: Gie
Absolute Velocity = 50 MPH <Ground Speed>
Relative Velocity = 42 MPH <Moving Air as Reference Frame>
Your car is experiencing 29.44% less lift and drag with an 8 MPH tailwind at 50 MPH compared to no wind. This could account for a change in chassis feel.
In reality, no car makes any significant downforce at 40-50 MPH. What you felt is most likely an irregularity in the wind which caused a momentary low pressure zone on the front end of the car.
Drive right next to a semi to find out what wind irregularity means.
Relative Velocity = 42 MPH <Moving Air as Reference Frame>
Your car is experiencing 29.44% less lift and drag with an 8 MPH tailwind at 50 MPH compared to no wind. This could account for a change in chassis feel.
In reality, no car makes any significant downforce at 40-50 MPH. What you felt is most likely an irregularity in the wind which caused a momentary low pressure zone on the front end of the car.
Drive right next to a semi to find out what wind irregularity means.
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