Need help building aerodynamic billy cart

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SUMMARY

Dain is seeking assistance in designing an aerodynamic three-wheeled billy cart for the annual billy cart race in Beechwood, NSW, Australia. The current cart, named "Bessy," has been outperformed, prompting the need for a new design, dubbed "Bessy Beater." Key design considerations include minimizing drag through a streamlined shape, with dimensions approximately 800mm high, 1000mm wide, and 2500-3000mm long. The discussion emphasizes the importance of a narrowing rear design to reduce pressure drag and suggests researching aerodynamic principles to optimize performance.

PREREQUISITES
  • Aerodynamics principles, specifically drag types (viscous and pressure drag)
  • Basic understanding of fluid dynamics and airflow
  • Knowledge of CAD software for design visualization
  • Experience with lightweight materials and construction techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Research aerodynamic shapes and their impact on drag reduction
  • Learn about the principles of pressure recovery in vehicle design
  • Explore CAD software options for designing and modeling the billy cart
  • Investigate the effects of weight distribution and momentum on speed and performance
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for hobbyists, engineers, and designers interested in building competitive billy carts, as well as those looking to enhance their understanding of aerodynamics and vehicle performance optimization.

  • #31
Have a look here Dain http://www.facebook.com/?ref=hp#!/pages/Southern-Tasmania-Billycart-Group/328971924254 The biggest aero problem you have is that your so close to the proximity of the ground. Bessy has that too. I've raced against HPV's that were built / shaped like what you have and while they went close in the acceleration stakes they didn't have the top end because of their being so close to the ground. I believe a Billycart must be away from the ground to reduce any down force interpreting drag etc. I did much research on the Salt Flat Race Cars and they are mostly follow this line of thought. But having two people aboard is a can f worms for sure.
 
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  • #32
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1435/1002214jj2.jpg
By trikesrule at 2007-05-25
 
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  • #33
Look carefully at the tricky bits on the yellow carts front wheel. These shapes ahead of the wheel were all carefully (with cardboard and gaffer tape lol) made to make the wheels want to turn faster. My original theory was to delete the air flow hitting the top of the wheel and that should make the wheel want to turn faster and it did. In front of fans the fully exposed front wheel would not turn at all. With careful fiddly I got it to rotate up to 32kmh! Nothing on this cart made it slower. Everything was tested and retested many times. If it didn't make it faster it wasn't used. Even the Wax by Zymol gave me 1kmh more than any other on the market. It turns out a certain Ferrari driver from Germany had the same wax on his F1 car. All three of my carts run different size to cater for differing class's and all three are class leaders.
 
  • #34
http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/3323/bathurstbillycarts028if6.jpg
By trikesrule at 2008-08-21
This is Wooleys cart from WA. Sleek and beautiful design but it suffers from basic one problem. All the wheels are the same size. That means you get no basic effect of the rear wheels trying to catch the front. That boys and girls is simply the biggest error they all make. All my carts have the front wheel smaller than the rears. It was the very first thing I developed when determining what basic things were needed for a cart that was to be faster than anyone else. I went on to determine what size wheels were fastest when paired up with another. What size wheels are you using? What size wheels is Bessy using? Bet he's got 20" 406 wheels in there somewhere. 20" wheels are extremely tough and commonly found.
 
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  • #35
My eldest Daughters trike. Man didn't she upset the boys with this. Sharii never lost a race (still hasn't). 12" front wheel with with front track style hub by Velocity. 16" out back. The right rear wheel came form the Tip! http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/4828/1003371qy2.jpg
By trikesrule at 2008-11-26 http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/7395/1001708ss9.jpg
By trikesrule at 2007-05-27
 
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  • #36
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7545/tmp1642zz9.jpg
By trikesrule at 2006-11-30 The Raptorcart was built for my eldest son. Was built around the time of Jurassic Park (the movie) coming out. Dean asked me for a cart that looked like a Dinosaur ! This is my slowest Trike. It runs in a class where all the wheels must be the same size and they must be 12" bicycle wheels. Tough class but she's still a winner
 
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  • #37
There's a couple of thing I need to mention that are 'basics'. 1) Lube and 2) Bearings. Don't get these right and your not going to get close to Bessy. Want to know more? just ask...trikes
 
  • #38
where do you guys race ? and when ?
check out this link to a great race we had here in nelson NZ back in November
/www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=298331296854542&set=a.298331260187879.71345.153119868042353&type=1&theaterTim
 
  • #39
Usually in March and again in November (State Titles). But my partner and I travel to the mainland to race a fair bit. Going to 2012 Australian Titles at Corowa NSW at Easter. Time I went a put a scare among them.
 
  • #40
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/7111/1002708ss8.jpg
By trikesrule at 2008-04-22
My partner Glenda's cart runs inthe same Class as the Raptorcart as it has 12" wheels at all corners. When she doesn't race then I run the Raptorcart. This belonged to a mate of mine and has won many races over twenty years. Glenda remains undefeated for the 2 years she has been racing.
 
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  • #41
Hey Tim it says File not found. Can you check the address please...Trikes
 

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