Audi R18 TDI - Big vertical fin

Discussions about rockets, construction materials, adhesives, nozzles, nosecones and fin design.
User avatar
RaZias
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 751
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:16 pm

Audi R18 TDI - Big vertical fin

Post by RaZias »

The winner of 24h of Le Mans Race is a Audi R18 TDI and it has a big vertical fin...I don´t know the reason for it, maybe a large fin like that from the front to the end on a WR-dragster would give some results...
Research and Development is the soul of WR
User avatar
RaZias
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 751
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:16 pm

Re: Audi R18 TDI - Big vertical fin

Post by RaZias »

Research and Development is the soul of WR
User avatar
thampson
Current WRA2 Dragster Speed & Distance Record Holder
Current WRA2 Dragster Speed & Distance Record Holder
Posts: 232
Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:19 am

Re: Audi R18 TDI - Big vertical fin

Post by thampson »

Hi RaZias,

Yes I did notice that when I was watching some of the 24hr last weekend. I think it comes from 2008's RedBull F1 car design where they used a similar design

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... e_barc.jpg

I think its to assist in yaw stability, I did think of this at one stage with a paper design I did but thought the wing would be too heavy. Maybe when I get some more speed going we can see if it will assist.

Good pickup :)

-todd-
HHWRSA
Hornsby Heights Water Rocket Space Agency
http://wrocket.hampson.net.au
User avatar
RaZias
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 751
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:16 pm

Re: Audi R18 TDI - Big vertical fin

Post by RaZias »

Just a question, how much weights your car ?
Research and Development is the soul of WR
User avatar
thampson
Current WRA2 Dragster Speed & Distance Record Holder
Current WRA2 Dragster Speed & Distance Record Holder
Posts: 232
Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:19 am

Re: Audi R18 TDI - Big vertical fin

Post by thampson »

The car we set the record with was about 2.8kg without the water.

-todd-
HHWRSA
Hornsby Heights Water Rocket Space Agency
http://wrocket.hampson.net.au
User avatar
U.S. Water Rockets1
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 1778
Joined: Sat Feb 03, 2007 3:24 pm

Re: Audi R18 TDI - Big vertical fin

Post by U.S. Water Rockets1 »

thampson wrote:Hi RaZias,

Yes I did notice that when I was watching some of the 24hr last weekend. I think it comes from 2008's RedBull F1 car design where they used a similar design

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... e_barc.jpg

I think its to assist in yaw stability, I did think of this at one stage with a paper design I did but thought the wing would be too heavy. Maybe when I get some more speed going we can see if it will assist.

Good pickup :)

-todd-
Most likely the vertical stabilizer would help keep the car from oversteering in turns. There might not be much use for this type of fin on your dragster.
Team U.S. Water Rockets
Visit USWaterRockets.com
Visit our Blog
Tune in to our YouTube Channel
Visit our Facebook page
Visit our Twitter Page
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. --Thomas Edison
User avatar
RaZias
WRA2 Member
WRA2 Member
Posts: 751
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:16 pm

Re: Audi R18 TDI - Big vertical fin

Post by RaZias »

U.S. Water Rockets1 wrote:
thampson wrote:Hi RaZias,

Yes I did notice that when I was watching some of the 24hr last weekend. I think it comes from 2008's RedBull F1 car design where they used a similar design

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/u ... e_barc.jpg

I think its to assist in yaw stability, I did think of this at one stage with a paper design I did but thought the wing would be too heavy. Maybe when I get some more speed going we can see if it will assist.

Good pickup :)

-todd-
Most likely the vertical stabilizer would help keep the car from oversteering in turns. There might not be much use for this type of fin on your dragster.
I dont remember the begining of the WR-dragster run but I think it oversteered with the "jet thrust kick", anyway the RC steering does a great job but if greater speeds are demanded there won´t be enough reaction time and you will need a fast milimetric control as the gyroscopes on RC 200mph cars.
Research and Development is the soul of WR
User avatar
thampson
Current WRA2 Dragster Speed & Distance Record Holder
Current WRA2 Dragster Speed & Distance Record Holder
Posts: 232
Joined: Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:19 am

Re: Audi R18 TDI - Big vertical fin

Post by thampson »

Yes I think the gyroscope steering is the better solution. We have one here but I just dont have time to test it in action at the moment.

We hooked it up and just moved the car around its yaw axis and the gyroscope was moving the steering by itself to correct itself.

In the midst of buying and selling our house, so every waking hour apart from work is put to that task :(

-todd-
HHWRSA
Hornsby Heights Water Rocket Space Agency
http://wrocket.hampson.net.au