Invetterate
CCCUK Member
Really?I love the thread hijack of the North Weald action day thread to discuss drag racing. Personally I'm not one for dressing up as a woman and going for a run.....
High Speed Driving Days - North Weald 2025
- Thread starter CaptainK
- Start date
teamzr1
Supporting vendor
While on high speed events and DRAG
Fine line of top speed, lift, drag, downforce, over or understeer
Over the years of racing my Corvettes, either gained or lost top end solely on choice of angle of rear wings on my Corvettes
by the angle I had set the rear wing and the height of a wicker on the rear of the wing
There is a point of creating downforce to gain MPH or wrong angle of wing creating too much DRAG
Take some time and learn about all this very interesting results
Also as to drag, with my 1994 Snakeskinner ZR-1 we found that a certain shape of the side rocket panels reduced drag and car gained top end and also the angle of rake of A-pillar for windshield reduced drag and gained even more top end speed
Let's Go a Racing . . . . .
Fine line of top speed, lift, drag, downforce, over or understeer
Over the years of racing my Corvettes, either gained or lost top end solely on choice of angle of rear wings on my Corvettes
by the angle I had set the rear wing and the height of a wicker on the rear of the wing
There is a point of creating downforce to gain MPH or wrong angle of wing creating too much DRAG
Take some time and learn about all this very interesting results
Also as to drag, with my 1994 Snakeskinner ZR-1 we found that a certain shape of the side rocket panels reduced drag and car gained top end and also the angle of rake of A-pillar for windshield reduced drag and gained even more top end speed
Let's Go a Racing . . . . .
Roscobbc
Moderator
I find it interesting that early C3's seem to be transformed in terms of top speed with a simple lowering on the front to get the front end to sit-down and airflow go over the top rather than stock front ride height creating front-end lift which increases with speed........frightenly it seems!
teamzr1
Supporting vendor
Here is testing on same road, day, weather when my 1994 C4 ZR-1 was stock except adding a full rear wing
All that was adjusted was the angle of wing surface
Amount of downforce in pounds on left and bottom shows wing angle
First Test at 130 MPH, then added 10 MPH for each test to 180 MPH
Then what the recorded MPHs via radar by a cop, for each test I did
All that was adjusted was the angle of wing surface
Amount of downforce in pounds on left and bottom shows wing angle
First Test at 130 MPH, then added 10 MPH for each test to 180 MPH
Then what the recorded MPHs via radar by a cop, for each test I did
teamzr1
Supporting vendor
Reason we lower our Corvettes, and best with under trays front and rear
C8s now come with a full under tray
Of course, best is with venting up front to reduce front end lift
CaptainK
CCCUK Member
Well ok, there was that one time back in the day, on a heavy night out. But I think I've found all the photos and destroyed them.....
Invetterate
CCCUK Member
Fishy Dave
CCCUK Member
The other North Weald handling day operator has been given notice that August is the last date he can run events here. Drive limits have now removed all their dates from mid-August onwards too. Google have already started constructions work on the data centre, so, let's make the most of the 5th of August, our last Corvette Club handling day at this site. There is currently one place remaining: DRIVE LIMITS - North Weald Driver Training
Forrest Gump
CCCUK regional rep
That’s a great shame, even though we knew it was coming at some point.
In that case perhaps we can skip the high speed bend and cut straight to doing laps….until it gets dark?
Thanks for the info Dave.
In that case perhaps we can skip the high speed bend and cut straight to doing laps….until it gets dark?
Thanks for the info Dave.
Invetterate
CCCUK Member
But then again, we do have headlights.......
Forrest Gump
CCCUK regional rep
Fuel is getting very cheap at the moment…..just saying
Roscobbc
Moderator
'Very cheap' is an interesting observation Andy......£1.00 per litre would be more describable as approaching a cheap price (at an equivalent of just under £5.00 a gallon)Fuel is getting very cheap at the moment…..just saying
Forrest Gump
CCCUK regional rep
…….okay, cheap compared to what it has been for the last few years, lowest for four years I think I heard.'Very cheap' is an interesting observation Andy......£1.00 per litre would be more describable as approaching a cheap price (at an equivalent of just under £5.00 a gallon)
Everyone with oil heating is stocking up with oil at the moment.
Invetterate
CCCUK Member
Fully understand your concerns [you can hear a "but" coming, can't you?!] - but.... this is the last time, so it would be a one off and what a great set of memories! Bring the Vette - you know it's the right thing!!
On the subject of fuel consumption for a C3 Big Block, I have just dug out my original "Motor" road test from August 24, 1968 when they tested just such a machine. In those days, they calculated "touring" consumption by taking consumption midway between 30 mph and maximum speed less 5% for acceleration. The figure they calculated was 14.5mpg. However, given the max speed was confirmed at 145mph [with a 3.08 rear end], then the midway point is 87.5mph. So, if you cruised up at 60-65mph, you could well get around 18mpg or better. That sounds pretty reasonable in the circumstances! And, of course, a good long journey would do the car a world of good! I rest my case - thank you.
teamzr1
Supporting vendor
Roscobbc
Moderator
I recall the very day, 25 years ago I took the journey from South West Essex by train to South East Birmingham to collect my just bought '68 427 coupe. I was fairly sure that the car hadn't been used too much so I would take a 50 mph leisurely drive back home avoiding motorways where possible and using mainly 'A' roads.
It was a warm day, but not hot enough to be concerned about. Approximately 100 miles and several hours later with one boiling over I managed to return home safely. OK, I knew that a 390 hp L36 4 speed Vette with a 3.08 rear was never ever going to be great on fuel economy......but 14.5 mpg on that journey wasn't what I expected. And TBH it never improved much more on subsequent trips.......until I had my new engine built. So now we had 489 cu in., 570 hp, 606 ft/lbs tq with a monster 950 DP carb. First 90 mile journey to the CCCUK Nats at a steady 55-60 mph recorded comparitively pleasing 16.5 mpg. It has since been fairly consistently at around 15 - 16 mpg on a run. Unfortunately no where near the possible 18 mpg that Jon has suggested........perhaps with FI it might but TBH I'm really quite happy that I had 50% boost in HP 'and' a small improvement in economy.............hmmmm, economy isn't really the operative word is it? Lets just say MPG.
It was a warm day, but not hot enough to be concerned about. Approximately 100 miles and several hours later with one boiling over I managed to return home safely. OK, I knew that a 390 hp L36 4 speed Vette with a 3.08 rear was never ever going to be great on fuel economy......but 14.5 mpg on that journey wasn't what I expected. And TBH it never improved much more on subsequent trips.......until I had my new engine built. So now we had 489 cu in., 570 hp, 606 ft/lbs tq with a monster 950 DP carb. First 90 mile journey to the CCCUK Nats at a steady 55-60 mph recorded comparitively pleasing 16.5 mpg. It has since been fairly consistently at around 15 - 16 mpg on a run. Unfortunately no where near the possible 18 mpg that Jon has suggested........perhaps with FI it might but TBH I'm really quite happy that I had 50% boost in HP 'and' a small improvement in economy.............hmmmm, economy isn't really the operative word is it? Lets just say MPG.
