Tour Auto 2009' ...

[msd1107]

I didn't notice until the Elan got to the pits, but the bonnet is fixed proud of the body by an inch or so, and there are ventilation (?) holes cut at the back edge of the bonnet.

Is this another instance of how Elans overcome their cooling deficiency?

David
1968 36/7988

[Old English White]

Do you know the set up ? ( - just curious...maybe I can pick up something...... ! )

Dag

Yes , I do .
Christian.

[Old English White]

I didn't notice until the Elan got to the pits, but the bonnet is fixed proud of the body by an inch or so, and there are ventilation (?) holes cut at the back edge of the bonnet.

Is this another instance of how Elans overcome their cooling deficiency?

David
1968 36/7988

For scrutineers , it's only poor body adjustment ...
Christian.

[twincamman]

more like Lotus quality control is my guess - --ed

[Dag-Henning]

- yes, the lifting of the bonnet is a common way of easing cooling.....- not very popular by some scruteneers... The way around it is by very loose straps at the rear, allowing the vacum created there at high speeds to lift the bonnet, and letting it fall back in place as the speed drops on the way back to the pits... - you may get a technical black-flag though......

Dag

[twincamman]

I SAY----is that a left hand drive 26r???? I believe I was told by an 'expert' on this site than no such animal was ever built nor existed ED

[Old English White]

I SAY----is that a left hand drive 26r???? I believe I was told by an 'expert' on this site than no such animal was ever built nor existed ED

Ed ,
You must believe the 'expert' . Until next affirmation .
This is not a genuine 26R , s1 or s2 . This is a Lotus Elan 1965 FIA 26 GTS 10.
One of those who are making street 26's so rare ...
Christian.

[Petter Hval]

Sorry Dag.
The back of the bonnet/shroud is a high pressure part of the body ( no vacum) - hence the place
for the heater air intake on most cars - so there must be a better place to let out the hot air
from the engine compartment .Drilling the inner wings ???
Petter

[msd1107]

There is an element of truth in both of these positions.

On the standard body, there is a high pressure area as the airflow deflects up the windshield.

If the bonnet is held proud, the airflow follows the new contours of the bonnet until it reaches the discontinuity. At this point, the airflow close to the bonnet is largely turbulent. The discontinuity attempts to bend the airflow down, but it quickly encounters the windshield and is re-deflected up. The result is a temporary low pressure area just behind the raised edge of the bonnet.

What is just as important is that the airflow through the radiator intake, literally, has nowhere to go. So it largely stalls, creating a high pressure area under the bonnet that leaks away through whatever small gaps it can find. This is the basic reason for the overheating problems in Elans. But with the rear of the bonnet proud, the high pressure air stalled under the bonnet has an avenue for escape. This is assisted to a small extent due to the temporary low pressure of the area behind the raised bonnet.

I have read of Elans whose bonnet retaining spring at the front failed with the result the entire bonnet took wings due to the pressure under the bonnet.

The only way to verify these theories is for someone to get strapped to the bonnet with a manometer to get readings like Costin did for the MK 8.

David
1968 36/7988

[Old English White]

Want more !?!
Here is the video of the Turckheim special stage ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMP-s_dsYmY
Christian.

[elandoc]

That's great, Christian - sure does evoke some memories. I saw they weren't using pace notes - are they not allowed?
Patrick

[Old English White]

That's great, Christian - sure does evoke some memories. I saw they weren't using pace notes - are they not allowed?
Patrick

No notes . From organisation only .
Very short , on main difficulties only , given few minutes before the start of special stage . The rest is only experience or/and memory .
Christian.

[elandoc]

So no reconnaissance either! I hate blind rallies - supposedly a great equaliser, but in reality. if they re-use old stages, the new competitors are at a great disadvantage.
Patrick

[Dag-Henning]

Sorry Dag.
The back of the bonnet/shroud is a high pressure part of the body ( no vacum) - hence the place
for the heater air intake on most cars - so there must be a better place to let out the hot air
from the engine compartment .Drilling the inner wings ???
Petter

Hello Petter !! - what is a fact is that the rear of the bonnet raises at high speeds, - + 140-150 km/t -, and it may well be the pressure under the bonnet.......Allways thought that the wing-shape of the bonnet created a lift.....Nevermind , yes, guess every race-Elan has drilled innerwings as well , .......

Dag

[Old English White]

Nevermind , yes, guess every race-Elan has drilled innerwings as well , .......

Dag

Not that one.
Christian.