Search Results

The paper describes the most important items in the aerodynamic research related to the development of a racing car. The methodologies of scale model wind tunnel testing and track testing are analyzed. In detail these are applied to the development of the Alfa Romeo 156 ST. The wind tunnel used is described as well as the car instrumentation in the track tests. A comparative analysis is performed between model and full scale aerodynamic results. Finally the influence of the moving belt in the lift measurements of the scale model is considered and the use of the aerodynamic load distribution in the development of the Alfa Romeo 156 ST is described.

A systematic investigation using both numerical and experimental techniques has been performed on a multi-component airfoil (SB 96-1) section of the wing mounted on the ALFA ROMEO 155 ITC racing car. The main goal of this activity is to build an extensive experimental database in order to validate a set of numerical tools to use in the design loop of racing car wings. A Navier-Stokes and a Viscous/Inviscid Interaction (VII) based codes were used as aerodynamic characteristics prediction tools. Particular attention was paid to the problems encountered during the experiments relative to highly loaded wing at low Reynolds numbers. Some technical tunnel problems did not allow to complete the whole programmed test campaign, and then only some of the scheduled tests will be reported in the paper.