extreme downforce vehicle

[Mshkttck]

lol thanks

Wouldn't it be hard for the vehicle to hover at speed with all that downforce?

[bonzelite]

something else i just thought of as well:

the cars will need to be shielded 1)from UV radiation entering the thin atmospehre, and 2) they will need to be super-sheilded for the race track for close-quarter racing -- a car caught in another car's exhaust wake of ions, essentially radiation, will be extremely harsh.

[Mshkttck]

Originally Posted by Mshkttck

lol thanks

Wouldn't it be hard for the vehicle to hover at speed with all that downforce?

Could the wings and spoilers be retractable and have ion propulsion pods that rotate downwards like a tilt-rotor aircraft?

And also:

why have wheels at all? If the need for turning comes up, the speed of the vehicle combined with some moving airodynamic doodads should be able to allow the vehicle to turn fine...

[bonzelite]

Originally Posted by Mshkttck

Could the wings and spoilers be retractable and have ion propulsion pods that rotate downwards like a tilt-rotor aircraft?

And also:

why have wheels at all? If the need for turning comes up, the speed of the vehicle combined with some moving airodynamic doodads should be able to allow the vehicle to turn fine...

the primary downforce elements, namely the front and rear spoiler, are on electric actuators that adjust the angles of the surfaces: just like on an aircraft. the rear wing, for example, pitched low at the front, then rising at angle up to the rear, creates downforce --the aerofoil is thus "upside down" --the low pressure is created in that setup below the wing.

when the pitch is reversed, with the angle going high in the front, to low in the rear, creates lift, as flaps on an aircraft do.

i believe the R33GTR has such an adjustable rear wing (except it's range of movement is limited for downforce only).

wheels: i did consider having the craft being totally off the ground, like a land-speeder. an engineer even suggested this design as well. but i like the look of a traditional race car with wheels. and i want to impart an element of traditional wheels-on-the-ground racing dynamics, if not only as one phase of the race experience. ie, i want the cars to be lined up at the start, with a pace car, pit, and go to the winner's circle on 4 wheels.

at top speed, probably, it will be a hovercraft, like a hydrofoil jet boat.

[bonzelite]

mshk, i literally banged this out in ten minutes. it shows the spoilers in "lift" positioin, with covers over the wheels, and side wings that may emerge to promote low gliding.

the low gravity will facilitate gliding anyway, with side wings added to provide a bit of low-ground stability:

[Mshkttck]

Wow, that looks great
Kinda like a star-wars inspired fighter jet / speed boat

well, I can't think of any more ideas at the moment...

[bonzelite]

Originally Posted by Mshkttck

Wow, that looks great
Kinda like a star-wars inspired fighter jet / speed boat

well, I can't think of any more ideas at the moment...

thanks for props.

yes. i cannot disassociate this idea from "star wars" no matter what i do, even though the implementation of the idea will not at all resemble star wars. all the more reason, though, to not have the vehicle be exclusively a "land speeder" that only hovers. i want to get as far away from star wars as possible, in design and feel.

again, thank you, mshk.

[Blip]

What about side gas steer thrusters to help with the mid-speed turns when the wheels are off the track, but the full effects of the areodynamics aren't inplay for steering.

You' re developing a very interesting concept.
Great sketch work.

[bonzelite]

Originally Posted by Blip

What about side gas steer thrusters to help with the mid-speed turns when the wheels are off the track, but the full effects of the areodynamics aren't inplay for steering.

You' re developing a very interesting concept.
Great sketch work.

hmm. that is extremely interesting. you mean a steering assist? like horizontal "course correction" thrusters on the sides? i like that idea. the thrusters could be actuated in real-time via steering wheel sensors. it would be as if the front "wheels" were turning in response to the driver's input, but, instead would be side-mounted thrusters that control right and left steering direction creating perpendicular thrust.

wheels-to-the-ground could also be used in tandem with the thrusters to lessen the lateral g-forces upon the suspension when cornering, too. it would be like a "Super Thrust Traction Control System (STTCS)" --your idea has opened my mind up. thank you, blip.

here is another version:

[knightvision]

It's getting professional now. Interesting to see that progress.

[bonzelite]

Originally Posted by knightvision

It's getting professional now. Interesting to see that progress.

thanks, knight. i'm glad you see it that way.

i was greenlit today to be the chief designer on this project.

i will be posting more, ie, stuff that i am allowed to show, later.

[bonzelite]

another version:

[Blip]

Congrats on the project--is this something for TV or film?

The design look futuristic, but retains an air of believability.

[bonzelite]

Originally Posted by Blip

Congrats on the project--is this something for TV or film?

The design look futuristic, but retains an air of believability.

graphic novel to be pitched for film.

thanks very much for the comment about it being believable and futuristic.
that is the exact premise i am going on. it needs to be that. it is difficult to
keep it that way, too. in fact, designing cars is difficult. it is easy to make a design look stupid or boring. i have more respect for car designers now. and anyone who attempts to do it.

[nicecar]

im gonna get drawing some of these