Real World Aerodynamics

Chris Hill · 05-28-2018, 12:20 PM

Just curious how much aerodynamics help/hurt in drag racing?

Great example is A/SA class final between Larry Hill and Leonard Mattingly.

Hill has 70 cuda and Mattingly has 2000 Firebird. Both cars at same weight, so it's a great comparison.

Hill is 0.8 mph faster in 1/8 ,but Mattingly is 0.7 mph faster in 1/4. Mattingly increases 1.5 mph last half of track. I think that's a lot to make up last 1/2 of the track.

Hill 10.07 at 129.7 to Mattingly's 10.08 at 130.4 mph.

My gut says Hill makes slightly more hp by 1/8 mph, but the aerodynamics of newer and smaller car takes over after 100 mph.

Any SS guys have experience going from old school car to new jellybean car with same combo and weight?

Estimated coefficent of drag for 2000 camero is 0.34
Estimated coefficent of drag for 1979 mustang is 0.46

05-28-2018, 12:20 PM	#1
Chris Hill Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 654 Likes: 8 Liked 244 Times in 26 Posts	Real World Aerodynamics Just curious how much aerodynamics help/hurt in drag racing? Great example is A/SA class final between Larry Hill and Leonard Mattingly. Hill has 70 cuda and Mattingly has 2000 Firebird. Both cars at same weight, so it's a great comparison. Hill is 0.8 mph faster in 1/8 ,but Mattingly is 0.7 mph faster in 1/4. Mattingly increases 1.5 mph last half of track. I think that's a lot to make up last 1/2 of the track. Hill 10.07 at 129.7 to Mattingly's 10.08 at 130.4 mph. My gut says Hill makes slightly more hp by 1/8 mph, but the aerodynamics of newer and smaller car takes over after 100 mph. Any SS guys have experience going from old school car to new jellybean car with same combo and weight? Estimated coefficent of drag for 2000 camero is 0.34 Estimated coefficent of drag for 1979 mustang is 0.46 __________________ Chris Hill https://ihmusedparts.com