20110511 Best Laps To Date by Driver/Car

Rank	Driver	Car	Lap Time	Date	Race	Lap
1.	Daniel	DG03MM	6,414	Apr 20, 2011	7	20
2.	Daniel	DG03LM	6,494	Feb 16, 2011	12	5
3.	Fabio	FM03LM	6,494	May 11, 2011	14	29
4.	Fabio	FM03MM	6,536	May 11, 2011	6	39
5.	Fernando	FF03LM	6,590	May 11, 2011	9	5
6.	Fabio	FM24MM	6,782	Feb 03, 2011	6	23
7.	Fernando	FF03MM	6,942	Feb 21, 2011	5	7
8.	Julio	JP03LM	7,022	Dec 22, 2010	10	32
9.	Julio	JP03MM	7,054	Dec 22, 2010	5	18
10.	Fabio	FM02MM	7,185	Oct 13, 2010	6	19
11.	Clovis	CM03MM	7,199	Feb 03, 2011	17	17
12.	Clovis	CM03LM	7,326	Nov 16, 2010	10	23
13.	Daniel	DG02MM	7,757	Nov 16, 2010	3	10
14.	Fernando	FF02MM	8,029	Nov 03, 2010	8	29
15.	Roberto	RH03LM	8,601	Oct 13, 2010	14	18
16.	Roberto	RH03MM	8,670	Oct 20, 2010	7	14
17.	Clovis	CM02MM	9,189	Nov 03, 2010	2	1
18.	Roberto	RH02MM	9,261	Oct 13, 2010	5	13

20110505 Best Laps To Date by Driver/Car

Rank	Driver	Car	Lap Time	Date	Race	Lap
1.	Daniel	DG03MM	6,414	Apr 20, 2011	7	20
2.	Daniel	DG03LM	6,494	Feb 16, 2011	12	5
3.	Fabio	FM03LM	6,498	Feb 24, 2011	11	18
4.	Fabio	FM03MM	6,590	May 05, 2011	8	24
5.	Fernando	FF03LM	6,717	Feb 24, 2011	16	4
6.	Fabio	FM24MM	6,782	Feb 03, 2011	6	23
7.	Fernando	FF03MM	6,942	Feb 21, 2011	5	7
8.	Julio	JP03LM	7,022	Dec 22, 2010	10	32
9.	Julio	JP03MM	7,054	Dec 22, 2010	5	18
10.	Fabio	FM02MM	7,185	Oct 13, 2010	6	19
11.	Clovis	CM03MM	7,199	Feb 03, 2011	17	17
12.	Clovis	CM03LM	7,326	Nov 16, 2010	10	23
13.	Daniel	DG02MM	7,757	Nov 16, 2010	3	10
14.	Fernando	FF02MM	8,029	Nov 03, 2010	8	29
15.	Roberto	RH03LM	8,601	Oct 13, 2010	14	18
16.	Roberto	RH03MM	8,670	Oct 20, 2010	7	14
17.	Clovis	CM02MM	9,189	Nov 03, 2010	2	1
18.	Roberto	RH02MM	9,261	Oct 13, 2010	5	13

Mini-Z Visit to a Virtual Wind Tunnel

Over the past week I have been playing with a CFD - Computational Fluid Dynamics software package trying to model the aerodynamics and estimate the drag and down forces on a typical Kyosho Mini-Z.

After struggling with the software itself and having to (re-)learn the basic concepts of fluid dynamics, I am starting to get results that are at least in the order of magnitude of what should be expected.

As can be seen from the picture above, in order to get the simulation to work I had to sacrifice on the 3D model geometry. It may be possible to add features gradually to the current model and see if and how the results change.

So far, for a speed of 10 m/s, the results indicate a drag force of 0.084 N and a down force of 0.1 N.

If I am not mistaken, this is the equivalent of masses of 8.6 g and 10 g.

That is, the horizontal resistance offered by the body at this speed (drag) is equivalent to carrying an "extra weight" of 8.6 g.

At the same time, the total down force generated by the body is equivalent to an "extra weight" of 10g. This is the total down force, not only the portion generated by the rear wing.

The numbers seem a bit high, higer than I expected at least, but are at least in an order of magnitude that is comparable to the car weight.

I'll play a bit more with the model, for example by changing speeds and increasing the rear wing angle, and post the results.

For complete results of the Mini-Z MR-03 CFD "virtual wind tunnel" simulation click here.

20110420 Best Laps To Date by Driver/Car

Rank	Driver	Car	Lap Time	Date	Race	Lap
1.	Daniel	DG03MM	6,414	Apr 20, 2011	7	20
2.	Daniel	DG03LM	6,494	Feb 16, 2011	12	5
3.	Fabio	FM03LM	6,498	Feb 24, 2011	11	18
4.	Fernando	FF03LM	6,717	Feb 24, 2011	16	4
5.	Fabio	FM24MM	6,782	Feb 03, 2011	6	23
6.	Fabio	FM03MM	6,878	Feb 24, 2011	7	16
7.	Fernando	FF03MM	6,942	Feb 21, 2011	5	7
8.	Julio	JP03LM	7,022	Dec 22, 2010	10	32
9.	Julio	JP03MM	7,054	Dec 22, 2010	5	18
10.	Fabio	FM02MM	7,185	Oct 13, 2010	6	19
11.	Clovis	CM03MM	7,199	Feb 03, 2011	17	17
12.	Clovis	CM03LM	7,326	Nov 16, 2010	10	23
13.	Daniel	DG02MM	7,757	Nov 16, 2010	3	10
14.	Fernando	FF02MM	8,029	Nov 03, 2010	8	29
15.	Roberto	RH03LM	8,601	Oct 13, 2010	14	18
16.	Roberto	RH03MM	8,670	Oct 20, 2010	7	14
17.	Clovis	CM02MM	9,189	Nov 03, 2010	2	1
18.	Roberto	RH02MM	9,261	Oct 13, 2010	5	13

Mazda 787b 3D Model

The previous 2D CFD simulation was pretty lame so I had to find a 3D model of the Mazda 787b...

Credits to Riccardo Alescio, model downloaded from Google 3D Warehouse.

A full round of CFD simulations of a (much simpler) mini-Z MR03 Mazda 787b 3D model is available here.

CFD Rear Wing Simulations

High Wing

Low Wing

These are the partial results of a 2D computer simulation of the air flow speed around the profile of a Mazda 787 b Mini-Z.

The software used was the demo version of MicroCFD.

Unfortunately the software does not allow for the parameters (car size, speed, etc.) to be set at the proper levels for the Mini-Z scale, so the results are just illustrative.

Any useful results would require not only setting the parameters right but also using a 3D software and car model, including the detailed geometry of the bottom of the car.

In any case, I'm really sorry I skipped all those Fluid Mechanics classes... I wish I knew how to read  the results above.

Moveable Rear Wing "Proof of Concept"

MuchMore Bearing Remover Tool

These are bearing remover tools from MuchMore Racing:

They seem to be hard to find and they are not cheap. Part numbers are MK-BRT02 (2 mm) and MK-BRt03 (3 mm).