World Time Attack: May the downforce be with you
Hideous, yes, but World Time Attack car generates more downforce than a Le Mans prototypeThe last time Nemo came to Sydney it was in 2003 as a cute clownfish in Walt Disney Pictures’s computer-animated film bearing his name...
Now Nemo’s back. Only this time it looks more like a metallic Manta Ray that’s had a run in with an angle grinder than the wayward clownfish of the much-loved Pixar Animation classic.
The Nemo in question is a wild-looking Time Attack car that allegedly produces more aerodynamic downforce than a Le Mans prototype.
Based on a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII, the Queensland-built Project Nemo, will be the centre of attention at this weekend's World Time Attack Challenge in Sydney this Friday (August 10). The car’s extraordinary carbon-fibre bodywork is the result of a two-year program to develop the ultimate Time Attack car, says driver and team manager Chris Eaton.
American aerodynamicist and data engineer, Andrew Brilliant, whose Japan-based company AMB Aero has worked for teams competing in Indycar, American Le Mans, Japan Super GT Championships, and American Time Attack, designed the aero package. The plethora of wings, canards and other aerodynamic tricks are designed to generate the highest-possible downforce through Eastern Creek's sweeping turns, while also delivering a competitive top speed down the straights.
"Other teams you'll see at World Time Attack started out with a road car and added different bits along the way," Mr Eaton said.
"From the beginning, our car has been a definite effort to integrate the aero with the suspension and driveline. Our goal has been to produce something with the best ability in every area."
Inbuilt data acquisition measures the downforce at each wheel and allows the team to fine-tune the aerodynamics.
The high-tech thinking extends to the Mitsubishi's engine where programmable turbocharging automatically turns down the boost in corners and turns it back up on the straights.
"The car has more than 600kW at the wheels and would struggle to get that power down in the corners if we didn't moderate the boost. The autoboost also improves engine reliability," Mr Eaton said.
For the second year in a row, Hankook tyres is supporting the hotly contested Open Class at the World Time Attack Challenge.
After starting as a grass-root motorsport activity five years ago, this year’s World Time Attack Challenge (WTAC) will see 93 teams compete at Sydney Motorsport Park, with entries from Japan, the United States, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Watch highlights of last year's World Time Attack Challenge.
Images compliments of www.nemo-racing.com
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