I don't know if this was any reason for the FIA to force competitors to go to
groved tires, but slicks also have the effect of compressing the air that hits
the lower protion of the tire and forcing it under the tread. Given the right
circumstances, this will cause a pocket of air under the tire and it will lose
contact with the ground (same as hydroplaning but on air). So whether
inteneded or not, it makes a difference aerodynamically since the preasurized
air can now pass through the groves and not between tire and road. I've never
heard the real 'official' reason for the groved tires but I wouldn't be
surprised if this lifting effect got mentioned while they were discussing
groves.
I know that the wings/body deflect the air in normal conditions, but what about
1. loosing a front wing, 2. car getting turned around backwards, these two
cases would be ones when that lifting effect may cause problems. Just a
thought, since if I knew this stuff for sure I'd probably be working for some
of these guys.
--
James Nazarian Jr
71 MGB roadster
71 MGBGT - with V8 parts
01 Impreza 2.5RS
A complex system that does not work is invariably found to have
evolved from a simpler system that worked just fine.
> Personally, I agree with how FIA goes about attempting to slow the cars down
> by taking away some of their advantages. Grooved tyres are a pretty nifty
> idea, and the fact each tyre gained an extra groove this year was clearly
> mitigated by the fact the cars were still 3 seconds a lap quicker than last
> years Aus GP qualifying times! If the rules were to be opened more, we
> would see the teams with more resources DOMINATE the top end with no chance
> for the small teams without the capability to spend millions for
> experimental development work into the extremes of technology.
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