My first thought was that longer is better too, but one of the interesting
things is how Kugals Firebird runs 300 MPH on 101" wheelbase, and little or
no handling problems.
John #79
----- Original Message -----
From: "pork.pie" <pork.pie@t-online.de>
To: <land-speed@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2001 7:40 PM
Subject: wheelbase
> Hi Folks,
>
> Another technical question on the list - wheelbase.
>
> Correct is, that a long wheelbase is better than short one.
> But there is something important.
> The longer wheelbase is only better, if the frame between the two axles is
very
> stiff - strong.
> If you got a long wheelbase and the frame is soft (weak), the car goes
> everywhere - means is very nervous, more nervous than a car with a short
> wheelbase.
> Also correct is, that, so further the driver is sitting back, so easier is
it
> for the driver to correct the car.
> I'm still wondering how Donald Campbell runs the Blue Bird CN 7, sitting
in the
> nose of the car. When in 1971 Craig Breedlove got the rights from Tonia
> Campbell, to use the Blue Bird for another wheeldriven attempt, he changed
the
> concept to a cockpit in the rear fin - at last nothing happened and the
the car
> stayed in England in his original configuration.
> Anyway, it is better to sit further back, but in the rear is not really
the best
> place.
> First, if the car is very long it can be, that the bodywork "take the view
away"
> which you need - what I mean, is, that the "jumping" car, and with this
the
> body, let you loose the view point.
> Second, if you sit in the rear, you be too far away from the center
gravity.
> This was the reason, why Ron Ayers moved the driver position from Andy
Green
> into the middle of the Thrust SSC, instead of the original position in
front of
> the air inducts.
> The center gravity is important, because in the center of the car is the
lowiest
> g-force, which gives you a easier handle of the car (steering).
> Also important is the wheel track, so smaller the wheel track is, so
better the
> car goes straight. But carefully, a long wheelbase and a small wheel track
works
> only, if the frame/axle/wheels are absolute straight and in an alignment.
> If not the car goes sideways.......
>
> At last, length....old aerodynamic rule....length is speed.
> Every inch a car is longer, the airflow is cleaner...and a cleaner airflow
means
> a faster speed.
>
> See ya
>
> Pork Pie
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