Re: Drafting in Bicycle Races

[Joseph Bellina <jbellina@SAINTMARYS.EDU>]

Who knows if this is the connection, but I recall a discussion which
indicated that the water resistance of a ship decreases with length.  So
if the cars could be considered to be one object, then you might expect
the resistance to decrease.
just a thought...and I don't recall the argument for the decreased
resistance with length...anyone know?

joe

On Wed, 15 Sep 1999, Richard Tarara
wrote:

> An additional comment--not an answer.  From watching NASCAR racing and
> listening to the commentary and observing the results, it would seem that
> with the cars, that drafting helps BOTH cars.  The situation is often thus:
> Car A is in the lead by 20 car-lengths, Car B is second but is not gaining.
> Then Car C comes up and drafts Car B and they both catch up to Car A.
>
> I don't understand the physics of this either, but it must involve the
> aerodynamics of the track and cars.  It does seem that drafting is more
> important at some tracks (longer, faster--maybe) than others.
>
> Rick
>
> *******************************************************
> Richard W. Tarara
> Department of Chemistry & Physics
> Notre Dame, IN 46556
> 219-284-4664
> rtarara@saintmarys.edu
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> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ed Schweber <edschweb@IX.NETCOM.COM>
> To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
> Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 1999 4:54 AM
> Subject: Drafting in Bicycle Races
>
>
> > Hi:
> >
> >     In bicycle races one rider will ride closely on the tail of the rider
> in
> > front of him so that he will be riding in the "air resistance shadow" of
> the
> > front rider.
> >
> >      I know of no reason based on basic physical laws of why this should
> > impose an extra burden on the front rider except that it seems to violate
> my
> > sense that there should be no free lunch.
> >
> >     So my question is: Does the front rider in any way need a greater
> power
> > output to maintain the same speed by virtue of having someone drafting
> > behind him?
> >
> >     I am looking forward to any responses.
> >
> > Ed Schweber