Wind tunnel testing of a Solar Car

I recently got a chance to interview the UofT Solar Car team regarding the aerodynamic design of their vehicle. Missing from the interview was any video footage of how the wind tunnel testing they performed is actually carried out. This video shows in detail what types of tests are performed during a wind tunnel investigation. Thanks to BlueSky for providing me with this footage.
GraysGarage.ca

[@magna59]

Great to see this . But the rolling components are not exercised , be it by rolling road or elevation & turning . This process may evaluate above ankle height well , and most vehicles are so badly styled , below ankle height is a little irrelevant , but in context of the near 1 kw performance everything is important . Great to see the range of conditions that can be achieved in this facility .

[@hqsound5582]

Interesting. But the sound of the IC enginge in the end is really out of place in a solar car video.

[@Ardent445]

The slower speed of the 2+2 and the later cars that came after it was because of American pollution requirements and lowering of HP of the engines. If you had looked at UK cars the speed did not change all that much. Also 150mph for the series 1 was a test figure only, on a bluprinted, race tyre equipped car, the normal road version did not achieve that. The fastest e-type off the show room floor was the series 3 - not much in it but it was the fastest. The slowest cars were the US 2+2 six cylinders. Why did you need to make up a coupe model - why not just buy one? Great vids and explains a lot - I have a series 3 OTS and the airflow in the cabin is exactly like you explained - plus you get exhaust as well. Though when my hat gets blown off my head, I loose it out the back and have to stop and get it - it does not flow forward where I can get it. Great stuff.

[@DR991_]

Wind tunnel looks amazing, but come on you could have made a mount for that smoke generator feed pipe to not have the poor guy holding it in the air stream ;-)

[@RotaryRebuilder]

as far as I've seen, for quick tests it is generally held by hand so that the location can be moved quickly. Although I agree, he did look a bit chilly!

[@MrMagichobo21]

cool

[@RotaryRebuilder]

thank you