Two Car Cars Drafting: Exploring Air Resistance

[Ranger Mike]

two car cars "drafting"

As posted by Hootenanny on another topic..he kindly replied "the car also experience fluid resistance or drag. For large objects traveling at high speeds the magnitude of the drag force is considered to be proportional to the square of the velocity of the car."

Is the reason two car cars " drafting" move faster than one car due to the massive curtain of air being pushed aside by the two cars? The two cars push aside the curtain of air and create a slight vacuum or low perssure area immediately behind the trail car. The air curtain closing behind the pair, " pushing the two cars with more force" than one car cutting through the air?

or did I miss something?

 

[Naty1]

Here's a good description:

The low-pressure wake behind a group's leading car reduces the aerodynamic resistance on the front of the trailing car, allowing the second car to pull closer. As the second car nears the first, it pushes high-pressure air forward so less fast-moving air hits the lead car's spoiler. The result is less drag for both cars, allowing faster speeds. [2]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drafting_(racing)

 

[Ranger Mike]

wish I had access to this site years ago..it is gold mine of valuable insight and information