F1technical.net

GBL wrote: My aim in life is to become a clay modeller (model maker in F1) therfore my final year project is aimed at illustating my skills within this field.

Cheers Guy

Just out of curiosity, are clay models still used by designers in the auto industry? Since everything is designed in CAD in F1, naturally all the Wind Tunnel models are predominantly carbon fibre, steel and rapidprototyping materials

An unregulated formula is a misnomer.

Giblet wrote:An unregulated formula is a misnomer.

Quite true!

theblackangus wrote:If the drivers are too scared to drive with'em, I sure the hell will.
I mean the Red Bull air race guys pull huge G, and they are fine.
Isn't exactly safe flying that close to the ground in those planes either.

Apples to oranges.
1) RBAR pilots do not have to tolerate those Gs for 60 laps.
2) In airplane you have to tolerate mostly vertical Gs (compression), while in F1 there's HUGE lateral and longitudinal Gs.
3) You don't have to attack the kerbs in airplane.

newbie wrote:

GBL wrote: My aim in life is to become a clay modeller (model maker in F1) therfore my final year project is aimed at illustating my skills within this field.

Cheers Guy

Just out of curiosity, are clay models still used by designers in the auto industry? Since everything is designed in CAD in F1, naturally all the Wind Tunnel models are predominantly carbon fibre, steel and rapidprototyping materials

I believe clays are still used in the automotive industry, although I guess in reducing amounts these days. I did hear that the S2000 was the first all-digital car - don't know how true that is!

I've not heard of clay being used in F1 for a long time, so consequently new model makers coming into the industry are having less off the traditional skills like this, which is fine until you need someone to make something in a hurry and find you no longer have anyone with those skills!!

timbo wrote:

theblackangus wrote:If the drivers are too scared to drive with'em, I sure the hell will.
I mean the Red Bull air race guys pull huge G, and they are fine.
Isn't exactly safe flying that close to the ground in those planes either.

Apples to oranges.
1) RBAR pilots do not have to tolerate those Gs for 60 laps.
2) In airplane you have to tolerate mostly vertical Gs (compression), while in F1 there's HUGE lateral and longitudinal Gs.
3) You don't have to attack the kerbs in airplane.

I believe there is a G limit in the Red Bull Air Race - if the racers exceed this they are penalised (hazy memory of watching it on TV!)

I have the same hazy memory from this last summer watching my one and only air race on TV before or since.

Was that the same race that a pilot hit one of the floating foam pylons, exploding it? Or is that a regular occurrence?

Giblet wrote:I have the same hazy memory from this last summer watching my one and only air race on TV before or since.

Was that the same race that a pilot hit one of the floating foam pylons, exploding it? Or is that a regular occurrence?

Unfortunately hitting the pylons is a reasonably regular occurence. The pylons are designed to be hit to cause minimal damage to the planes. Although one plane did hit it below a certain level and it hit the thicker fabric designed to keep the pylon attached to the ground.

They do indeed have a G-limit, I think it's about 12G. Not too sure on that though.

I think this is significant, but I don't know where to stick it so I'll go here rather than start a new thread.

The Indy Racing League today did a 300 mile oval race with no yellow flags. The result was the fastest average speed ever for a closed course race-- 201 mph!! Fastest lap was 211 mph. The winner did 2 or 3 pitstops.

The Indy Racing League ain't much for high level competition nowadays, but wow, they do fly!!

GBL wrote:Thank you for all the responses so far!

I would like to give some background info to why im doing what i am so everyone can better understand my aims. Last academic year i was involved in a collaborative project with Lotus (happy to post images not sure how?).

Make an acount on Photobucket.com and upload the pictures there, then copy the link that has "IMG" in it into your posts.

I am going to have a go at it, and post up some stuff too.