The influence of rain on the aero performance of a rally car
The weather forecast for the next weekend suggests that WRC drivers will have to face rain for several stages. Rain
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Aero basics
The exhaust and its impact on the aerodynamics of a WRC / Rally1 car
By Christian Domanegg (@chris_chris_franz) When looking at the exhaust, you’d be forgiven to think that its position doesn’t matter much.
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Turbofan wheels in the World Rally Championship
Brake cooling has always been an issue in rallying. The constant evolution in materials and design has been key for
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Why side mirrors are suddenly so important for rally cars
To the surprise of some, the aero parts of the new Rally1 cars that are having a major presence in
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What Rally Finland’s jumps tell us about WRC aerodynamics
Rally Finland is usually one of the top moments of the year, as aerodynamics becomes critical in the smooth and
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Active suspension, or how to make the aero of a rally car more efficient
To @DemaMarcE, for inspiring this article. One of the main problems of rally cars, in terms of aerodynamics, is the
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Tyres and aerodynamics in a WRC car
One of the main issues at the start of the 2021 WRC season has been the change of tyre supplier.
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Aero chronicle of Arctic Rally Finland 2021
This post is dedicated to the memory of the great Hannu Mikkola. RIP The first edition of the Arctic Rally
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The impact of ice build-up on the aero of WRC cars
We reviewed in our last article the impact of the very low temperatures on the aero of the WRC cars.
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How very low ambient temperatures impact on the aero of WRC cars
Next week a new event will join the WRC Championship. Held inside the Arctic Circle, the Arctic Rally Finland will
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What’s the deal with the new modifications in the Hyundai i20 Coupé WRC 2021?
The season 2021 is about to start and, as usual, the teams have been working on some aero modifications to
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Wind tunnels in the history of WRC
Wind tunnels have been present in WRC history since the moment that manufacturers realized that aerodynamics could also play an
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Suspension, grip and aerodynamics
The main goal of suspension is to ensure optimal contact of the wheel with the road to get maximum grip.
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Aerodynamics and cooling for the Safari Rally in the old days
The recent confirmation of the cancellation of the 2020 edition of the iconic Rally Safari means that we will have
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A rear wing is not a spoiler
The aero device most of WRC cars have above the boot lid, over the rear window or at the rear
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Mads Østberg interview on the aero of current and future WRC cars
Due to the current interruption of the 2020 WRC season, we wanted to spend some time to reflect on topics
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WRC cars’ brakes cooling airflow review: air removal
In a previous post, we reviewed how fresh air is forced into the brakes of a WRC car for cooling
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WRC cars’ brakes cooling airflow review
The heat that WRC cars’ brakes generate by friction needs to be cooled down to keep their performance consistent and
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Analysis and optimization of a WRC car by CFD – the Airshaper tool
The aerodynamics of a WRC car can be analyzed & optimized through numerical simulation (CFD – computational fluid dynamics), experimentation
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Aerodynamics of Rally Sweden
In spite of the special conditions this year, Rally Sweden continues to be one of the most specific events of
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How aerodynamics of WRC cars change in a mixed surface event: Rally Catalunya 2019
Rally Catalunya has been the only event in the season with a combination of gravel and tarmac stages since 2010.
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Internal flow in a WRC car: engine cooling
The main goals of the aero design of a WRC car include to reduce drag and to generate downforce while
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Dust flow visualization images from Rally Portugal
Dust is a nightmare when you’re attending at some gravel events. But, at the same time, it can be very
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Roof scoops in WRC cars
Temperature and dust are some of the most annoying factors for drivers and co-drivers in summer and/or gravel events. The
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Understeering and aerodynamics of a WRC car
Understeering was the second issue most cited during the last Tour de Corse… the first being puncture. Aerodynamics have little
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Aero modification on the front of the Ford Fiesta WRC in Mexico
Updated in March 9th, 2019 M-Sport surprised everybody with the announcement through social media of the introduction of modifications in
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Impact of altitude on the aerodynamics of WRC cars
The coming rallies of Mexico and Argentina include some of the stages at a higher elevation of all the season.
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Aerodynamics of lamp pods in WRC cars
Night stages have become rather unusual in the current Championship, while, not many years ago (last one was in 1996)
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Review of the Ford Fiesta WRC new rear diffuser
The new Ford Fiesta WRC aero kit introduced in the Rally Finland, and that probably will be used again by
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Hayden Paddon’s new Hyundai i20 AP4++ aerodynamic proposals
Since 2016, New Zealander Hayden Paddon has been combining its presence in the WRC with some participation in his home
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Wheels impact on the aerodynamics of a WRC car: deflectors and wheel diffusers.
Wheels have a significant impact on the aerodynamic performance of any car, and also on WRC cars, in spite of
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Aerodynamics of WRC cars sideways: endplates and vertical fins
One specific characteristic of rally cars is that drivers make them slide when cornering, to better position the car for
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Why the new Ford Fiesta WRC 2018 have such big rear wheel arch extensions?
The recent modification of the Ford Fiesta WRC before Rally of Finland has put the spotlight on the size of
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Deconstruction of the Ford Fiesta WRC car aero test in the wind tunnel
The recent aero test of the Ford Fiesta WRC developed in the wind tunnel of Windshear in Concord, near Charlotte,
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Exhaust blown diffusers in WRC
One of the most significant aero modifications of the current WRC car generation unveiled in 2017 was the inclusion of
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Mads Østberg and the aerodynamics in a WRC jump (republished)
Colin’s crest in Sweden, Micky’s jump in Sardinia, Fafe in Portugal or El Brinco in México, are some of the
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2018 WRC winter tests: time for side mirrors review
The tests the WRC teams have been developing during the 2018 winter, for the preparation of the first three rallies
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Dive planes in 2018 WRC rally cars
Snowbanks in the recent Rally Sweden has put once again in trouble the refined aerodynamic design of the 2017 WRC
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Dan Gurney footprint in 2018 WRC cars
The figure of Dan Gurney, who unfortunately left us this week, will be remembered both for his sporting successes and
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Toyota Yaris WRC first tests for 2018
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Team has started the test program for the development of new modifications for the 2018 Yaris
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Underbody aerodynamics of the 2017 WRC cars
With the new regulations for 2017, the WRC undercar aerodynamics have been the object of deep study from all teams,
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Design of 2017 WRC cars: CFD or wind tunnel?
The design of 2017 WRC cars was done in a relatively short period of time, as rules were initially approved
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2017 WRC aero reliability and wakes
2017 Rally Poland stages have shown again the sensitivity of new aerodynamic appendices to impacts, as well as their crucial
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Reliability of aerodynamic packages in WRC 2017 cars
New 2017 WRC car aerodynamics have proven to have a weak point after only five races have been completed. High
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Aerodynamic features of 2017 WRC cars
2017 New generation of WRC cars has introduced a bunch of aerodynamic modifications that deserve a deep review, in addition
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WRC 2017 rear wing comparative
Once all manufacturers have officially presented their new cars for 2017 WRC season, except Volkswagen (who finally renounced to participate
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Diffusers revolution for 2017 WRC cars
Rear diffusers have been extensively tested in the new 2017 WRC cars, in order to increase grip at the car’s
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How rear wing affects WRC handling
Finland Rally, 2004 – Petter Solberg – Subaru Impreza WRC Watch this video
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Wing vs spoiler
An automotive airfoil (wing) is shaped like an upside-down airplane wing — it deflects airflow upward to generate down-force on
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