By Phil Huff (25/07/2003)
July 25 2003

Work on the new Sauber wind tunnel continues to progress as scheduled: The facilities core element, the so-called 'Rolling Road', fitted with a steel belt simulating the relative motion between the road and the vehicle, has been installed. It is the largest of its kind ever built. Moreover, Sauber are planning to continuously expand their aerodynamics department, and thus create the basis for future two-shift operations in the new facility.

The Rolling Road has been manufactured by MTS Systems Corporation, based in Minneapolis/USA. After arriving in Antwerp aboard a container ship, the equipment was taken to Hinwil by a special carrier. A truly 'heavy-duty' job, as the complete Rolling Road weighs as much as 57 tons. It is the core element of the Sauber wind tunnel, which will compare favourably with the most advanced Formula One facilities currently in existence. The Sauber wind tunnel is of a closed-circuit design. Thanks to the unusual length of the test area and its cross-section of more than 15 square metres, measurements of original vehicles up to the size of vans can be made. Normally, though, Sauber´s aerodynamics engineers will be working with 60%-scale models. However, if necessary, measurements of full-size Formula One cars are possible as well. One of the specialities of the Sauber wind tunnel will be the possibility of performing tandem measurements of two 60 percent-scale models to investigate the influence of air turbulences.

A fan with a maximum power consumption of 3000 kW accelerates the air stream to nearly 300 kph, whilst the steel belt moves at the same speed as the air stream. In order to simulate side-slip conditions, the entire rolling road platform can be rotated by up to ten degrees. The cars under test are connected with the so-called model motion system, which allows any real-world motion of the vehicle to be simulated to measure the corresponding aerodynamic forces. The building, which accommodates the wind tunnel, has a length of 65 metres, a width of 50 metres and a height of 17 metres.

"Aerodynamics are the primary factor affecting a modern Formula One car. This shows the importance which the construction of this highly advanced facility has for us. I´m convinced that we´ll have a first-class tool for achieving major progress," Sauber Petronas Team Principal Peter Sauber says, looking towards the future with confidence.

In order to fully exploit the potential of the new facility, Sauber are planning to expand their aerodynamics capacities. Whilst wind tunnel tests are currently limited to approximately 2400 hours per year, two-shift operations in the new facility should double this number. Sauber comments "In order to achieve our goals, it is envisioned to expand our aerodynamics team at all levels."

Provided that the project continues to stay on track, the wind tunnel facility will be completed by mid-December, which means that calibration can start at that point in time. This will take approximately three months. Consequently, it is anticipated that the first measurements in the new wind tunnel can be undertaken at or about the start to the 2004 Formula One season.