Create account | Log in as member
Formula Sprint 2
San Marino Grand Prix
Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari
Tuesday 30th of April 2024 19:00:00
More
Create account | Log in as member
January 21, 2011
Tweet
Williamson Dynamics team owner, Ben Williamson, has come out to publicly congratulate Draig Racing's Mike Phillis on pioneering CFD technology within the GPVWC. "I have to say, its an exceptionally brave choice, and I'm glad theres a team out there willing to lead the way" stated Williamson.
Outside of the motorsport sector, Williamson Dynamics is a big name in the world of Aerodynamics, however the team continues to rely on standardised windtunnel work in it's car development despite a credible CFD capability. "We've always kept CFD in mind, but never in more than an ancillary capacity. Of course, in an ideal world we would love to be able to rely on CFD, and cutting costs is an admirable goal. However, at this point in time we feel the technology doesn't quite measure up to time in the tunnel. However, once teams start to really run with it as Draig have chosen to, then the technology should come along very nicely. Draig will of course be ahead of the curve, but thats the reward they deserve for taking the gamble."
When quizzed on whether WD would be expanding it's own CFD capability, Williamson continued; "Not initially no. Our new technology centre in Berlin is pretty advanced. aside from that, we only ever use CFD to test things we're already certain of in most respects. Simulating air is all well and good, but only real air acts like it will on track.. I still think it'll will take a season or two for CFD to become anything like reliably accurate. I agree that Draig will be able to produce upgrades faster.. but the effectiveness of any upgrades produced with no wind tunnel time is questionable at best. It's essentially flying blind in development terms, theres too big an element of estimation and presumption. However, would I love to see it work flawlessly?.. yes. I'm fond of Draig as an outift, and I'd love to be able to reign in our spending without losing jobs. CFD would be the perfect answer, but in such a vital year I can't leave too much to chance."
Outside of the motorsport sector, Williamson Dynamics is a big name in the world of Aerodynamics, however the team continues to rely on standardised windtunnel work in it's car development despite a credible CFD capability. "We've always kept CFD in mind, but never in more than an ancillary capacity. Of course, in an ideal world we would love to be able to rely on CFD, and cutting costs is an admirable goal. However, at this point in time we feel the technology doesn't quite measure up to time in the tunnel. However, once teams start to really run with it as Draig have chosen to, then the technology should come along very nicely. Draig will of course be ahead of the curve, but thats the reward they deserve for taking the gamble."
When quizzed on whether WD would be expanding it's own CFD capability, Williamson continued; "Not initially no. Our new technology centre in Berlin is pretty advanced. aside from that, we only ever use CFD to test things we're already certain of in most respects. Simulating air is all well and good, but only real air acts like it will on track.. I still think it'll will take a season or two for CFD to become anything like reliably accurate. I agree that Draig will be able to produce upgrades faster.. but the effectiveness of any upgrades produced with no wind tunnel time is questionable at best. It's essentially flying blind in development terms, theres too big an element of estimation and presumption. However, would I love to see it work flawlessly?.. yes. I'm fond of Draig as an outift, and I'd love to be able to reign in our spending without losing jobs. CFD would be the perfect answer, but in such a vital year I can't leave too much to chance."
Related texts:
© 2018 GPVWC Simracing Ltd | Privacy Policy