Photo: http://bmwmcmag.com
Following Marco Melandri's similar procedure last year, BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team rider Chaz Davies (currently 3rd in the 2013 WSBK standings with 83 points) is in Munich, Germany, in BMW's own wind tunnel and is experimenting with various positions on the S1000RR machine.
Davies flew straight from Assen, the Netherlands, to BMW's HQs in order to run these tests hoping to refine the positioning on his race bike in order to minimize drag as much as possible. Simulating speeds in the 150 mph range (240 km/h), the wind tunnel tests aim to minimize air resistance and thus provide the rider with a noticeable advantage.
Stephan Fischer, Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport says: “The positions of the head and the upper body, of elbows, knees and feet can have an enormous influence on the drag, and subsequently on lap times.
This goes in particular at a race track like Monza with its long and ultra fast straights. Of course, there is not one position that is the optimum for all riders, because it all depends on so many different individual factors, beginning with height and stature. The intensive work in the wind tunnel enabled Chaz to find out what riding position is the best for him personally.
We did the same with Marco last year and it helped him a lot to achieve improved aerodynamic efficiency on his RR. We are convinced that we now will have a similar positive result with Chaz.”
On the other hand, Davies himself seem to enjoy the testing: “When testing on a track, you try new development parts and different settings but you are not working on your body. So it was great to experience in a stable environment with my riding position, to move myself around on the bike, to have elbows and shoulders in different positions and to then see in the data what difference it makes.
I have learnt that I have to try and get myself inside the bike sooner on the exit of the corner in order to reduce the drag and be faster on the straights. It was good to see what difference that will make if we can improve that for the next race.
Especially on a track like Monza, the aerodynamic efficiency is very important because every lap we are wide open for much longer than any other circuit on the calendar. Having the right riding position helps me to make best use of the powerful BMW engine on the straights.”
The next WSBK round will take place in Italy at the Monza circuit on May 12. The series is currently led by Aprilia rider Sylvain Guintoli.
Stephan Fischer, Technical Director BMW Motorrad Motorsport says: “The positions of the head and the upper body, of elbows, knees and feet can have an enormous influence on the drag, and subsequently on lap times.
This goes in particular at a race track like Monza with its long and ultra fast straights. Of course, there is not one position that is the optimum for all riders, because it all depends on so many different individual factors, beginning with height and stature. The intensive work in the wind tunnel enabled Chaz to find out what riding position is the best for him personally.
We did the same with Marco last year and it helped him a lot to achieve improved aerodynamic efficiency on his RR. We are convinced that we now will have a similar positive result with Chaz.”
On the other hand, Davies himself seem to enjoy the testing: “When testing on a track, you try new development parts and different settings but you are not working on your body. So it was great to experience in a stable environment with my riding position, to move myself around on the bike, to have elbows and shoulders in different positions and to then see in the data what difference it makes.
I have learnt that I have to try and get myself inside the bike sooner on the exit of the corner in order to reduce the drag and be faster on the straights. It was good to see what difference that will make if we can improve that for the next race.
Especially on a track like Monza, the aerodynamic efficiency is very important because every lap we are wide open for much longer than any other circuit on the calendar. Having the right riding position helps me to make best use of the powerful BMW engine on the straights.”
The next WSBK round will take place in Italy at the Monza circuit on May 12. The series is currently led by Aprilia rider Sylvain Guintoli.
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