2006-10-20 23:57:05 · 10 answers · asked by miketree 1 in Sports ➔ Auto Racing
I take it when you ask this, you haven't got your road car in mind!? Funny you should ask this because I was reading an article in racecar engineering magazine about this the other day. It depends on the type of car and the aerodynamic set up of the car, the cars that they used were the British equivalent to NASCAR cars. It found that the following car saw a reduction in drag of 19% while following at 3390mm which is around 3/4 of a car length this rises to a 46% reduction when following at 400mm.
2006-10-21 11:03:34 · answer #1 · answered by Swanny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too close for comfort and too close for safety. If you are on a race track then you should be so close that the air displaced by the vehicle in front does not have time to close before your vehicle enters into that space. It must be inches, not feet. Don't forget to monitor your temps because you now have restricted airflow over the front of your car. Good luck. Of course, the bigger and less streamlined the vehicle in front is, like a truck shape, the longer the air will take to close behind the vehicle. If you are slipstreaming behind a truck, you are loco.
2006-10-21 07:06:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
about 18" or so and that is at 150 mph. and please dont try it with a tractor trailer on the highway. as a former big rig driver, i have seen it too many times where someone tries the play with the back of the trailer thinking they can "draft" like at daytona or talladega and "improve their fuel mileage" or some other lame excuse. ive have watched people get seriously hurt trying that stunt. PLEASE DONT DO IT ON THE HIGHWAY AT THE BACK OF A BIG RIG. KEEP IN MIND IF YOU CAN SEE HIS MIRRORS HE CANT SEE YOU. AND HE WILL BRAKE CHECK YOU WITHOUT WARNING TO GET YOU TO CLEAR OUT.
2006-10-21 11:02:46 · answer #3 · answered by newmichelle1959 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It differs depending on speed, turbulence, size, wind.... You should be able to feel it through the controlls of your vehicle.
It's easy with a little practice, but dangerous under the conditions found on all UK roads. BE CAREFULL !
2006-10-21 07:09:58 · answer #4 · answered by mittobridges@btinternet.com 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've experienced it in go-karts and that needs to be bout 5 inch before it really starts to work but it is worth it! wouldn't recommend it on the road though!
2006-10-22 11:34:54 · answer #5 · answered by Jamie S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too close.
also depends on the size and shape of the vehicle in front, and the speed of the airflow (= speed of vehicles plus windspeed).
2006-10-21 07:05:20 · answer #6 · answered by Tertia 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too close to be safe
2006-10-21 07:05:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Two inches or nearer
2006-10-21 07:04:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a whole lot closer than any sane person should be willing to follow.
2006-10-21 07:06:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2006-10-21 07:00:38 · answer #10 · answered by lost buddy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋