Raw Phoenix Undergoes wind tunnel testing

[raw striker]

Raw Phoenix Undergoes wind tunnel testing

Raw having recently added the Phoenix to their range of cars to compliment the striker and fulcrum have recently made a visit to MIRA where the Phoenix underwent wind tunnel testing.
The aim of the exercise was to establish the Phoenix’s drag factor and look for any areas in which drag could be lessened and down force improved in order to achieve best possible gains in the cars handling and grip as well as top end speed. A standard shell was used on the road going chassis in order that the results would benefit not only the race cars, but road going vehicles too.
For an open topped car the testing revealed the Phoenix has a very good drag coefficient of 0.523. Once this was established the MIRA team went on testing and highlighted areas where improvements could be made to down force and cooling efficiency. As a result Raw will be developing a small air dam for the front of the car, which will be offered as an option in the near future. Testing showed this improves front end grip at speeds over approximately 50MPH . The cooling system was scrutinised and additional venting will be added to the car in order to achieve the optimum airflow through the radiator and engine bay. The new venting is located to interfere with passage of air over car as little as possible in order to maintain the smooth flow of air and low drag.
Additional under skinning can also be applied as on race versions of the car in order to maximise down force and minimise drag – but we all already knew that!

visit http://www.striker-cars.co.uk/phoenix/

[jeffw]

Interesting stuff, looking forward to the updated parts. How does this compare to the Fulcrum and Striker ?

[petercoll]

It would be interesting to see what my Striker was like in a wind tunnel - a little less streamlined I think !

Pete

[David]

It would be interesting to see what my Striker was like in a wind tunnel - a little less streamlined I think !

Pete

Peter

I think the 750MC "Kit-Car" boys would concur with your conclusion. Look at video of "full-bodied" cars simply driving past Strikers on the Revett Straight.

All best

David

[raw striker]

Phoenix is slightly better drag wise than the fulcrum and waaay better than the striker, but you knew that!
Interestingly the Phoenix is much more stable than the fulcrum when at an angle to the wind, so it's the Phoenix for going sideways at speed fellas!!!

[matt_gsxr]

Nice one guys, great to see ongoing work on the old girl.

It looks to me that the ride height at the front on the model tested was pretty high, how would that affect things?

Regarding the front dam, any chance of making it out of something that is speed-bump friendly?
or are the requirements of deflectable by speed bump and not deflectable by air pressure mutually exclusive?

Thanks for sharing all this information.

Matt

[jeffw]

Phoenix is slightly better drag wise than the fulcrum and waaay better than the striker, but you knew that!
Interestingly the Phoenix is much more stable than the fulcrum when at an angle to the wind, so it's the Phoenix for going sideways at speed fellas!!!

So curtains for the Fulcrum then. Less aerodynamic and significantly uglier than the Phoenix It would be an interesting test....Fulcrum and Phoenix, with the same specifications, next to each other and then ask 1000 people which one they would choose. Something for Stoneleigh

And FYI....mine already has a front airdam/splitter ish thing.

[raw striker]

Ooooh cutting! Poor 'ol fulcrum! As i have always said, it is a Marmite car.

Yes - the front was high on the test, (and only) car. we have had trouble getting the right length shocks for the shell. we did some rake angle testing and yes the rear needs to go up a bit, or the front down, which we were planning anyhow. a good eye seems to count for something still as this adjustment made a deal of difference to the numbers in the tunnel.
The splitter too was a big plus.

[jeffw]

You can see what my car has as far as a splitter is concerned.....done by the previous owner

[matt_gsxr]

Jeff,

Is that bonded onto the underside of the bonnet?

What about something that is hinged, so folds up towards the bonnet when going slowly (i.e. over speed bumps) but gets forced down by air speed when going a bit faster.
As ever I am over complicating.

I will get back to my engine rebuilding.

Matt