| What's new for GM Racing? Well, aside from | | | | example, our aerodynamic models typically have |
| manufacturing auto parts like GM tail light guards for | | | | more than 10 million discrete data points that are |
| their race cars, GM also got something new for the | | | | used to calculate the forces. It really is rocket |
| motor sports industry. The 2007 season of the | | | | science." |
| NASCAR Nextel Cup Series is an important event for | | | | GM Racing will first implement the CFD aerodynamic |
| GM Racing team for them to unveil a brand new | | | | simulation system to the next-generation Chevrolet |
| racing machine and an all-new engine. GM will make | | | | Impala SS that will debut in NASCAR Nextel Cup |
| the NASCAR debut of the Chevrolet Impala SS "Car | | | | Series. GM said engineers utilized the CFD to gain |
| of Tomorrow" along with R07 small-block V-8 racing | | | | insight into the effects of the new body shape, front |
| engine. Along with the debut of the Chevrolet Impala | | | | splitter, and adjustable rear wing of the Impala SS. |
| SS, GM also announced their latest development in | | | | However, GM said although CFD is a powerful |
| testing vehicle aerodynamics called the Computational | | | | engineering tool for testing vehicle aerodynamics, it is |
| Fluid Dynamics (CFD) that will be implemented in all | | | | not a replacement for the typical wind tunnel and |
| GM race cars. | | | | track testing. |
| Here is how Kevin Bayless, GM Racing oval track | | | | Bayless commented: "Although the Car of Tomorrow |
| chassis/aero Program Manager explains how the CFD | | | | is highly regulated, it's not a spec race car. As a |
| works: | | | | manufacturer, Chevrolet was able to define many of |
| "The best way to describe CFD is a wind tunnel in a | | | | the details that separate the Impala SS from our |
| computer. CFD is a simulation that predicts the | | | | competitors' cars. The headlights, grille, portions of |
| aerodynamic forces acting on a vehicle using | | | | the hood, and the tail were areas where GM Racing |
| computational methods rather than physical | | | | was able to incorporate Impala SS styling cues and |
| measurements. CFD allows engineers and racing | | | | brand identity. These areas are now fixed as part of |
| teams to evaluate the effects of aerodynamic | | | | the NASCAR Impala SS package." |
| changes quickly on a computer screen rather than in | | | | Just wait and see how the Chevrolet Impala SS "Car |
| a conventional wind tunnel. | | | | of Tomorrow" performs at the NASCAR Nextel Cup |
| The CFD software requires a supercomputer | | | | Series this season. |
| because the number of calculations is immense. For | | | | |