Drafting and the Slip Stream. I need some input.

[Gabe\'s Tuscani]

Ok I get drafting, the air blowing up off the back of the car in front of you passes over your car causing your car to work less for the same speed. But is slip-stream real? I've heard that the wind vortex created by a semi traveling down a highway is enough to pull a motorcycle riding behind it toward it but does this also apply when it's
car vs. car or is this true at all. I don't race my car but I like to know this kind of stuff. Any info would be great. Feel free to add anything else about racing you'd like.

[nitrochaotik]

Ive noticed minimal gas mileage improvements by chasing semis, but you have to be REAALLLYY close to them and as a former truck driver i`ll tell you its not smart to do and they dont like it.

But your question was on the physics of it...(p.s. not a physicist either) I should think that at highway speeds you are not going to see any sort of usefull improvement.Unless your freeway speeds are over the 150 mph mark.Aerodynamic tricks are useless on the road.(that includes you wingers out there).

[Gabe\'s Tuscani]

Thanx. Trust me I wont tailgate any tracktor trailers. A semi turned my last car into a convertible. Well actually that was 2 cars ago. Anyway thanx for replying.

[pimpmyhyundai]

My dad almost died playing around with a dump truck like that.:cry:

[Gabe\'s Tuscani]

Yeah it's never a good idea to mess around with a vehicle 10 times the size and weight of your car. I also need some tips on advanced cornering. Tiburons don't make good drift cars being that they are FWD. I need to increase my cornering speed so if anyone has any good tips for me I would be very greatfull. Also is it possible to make my tib a 4WD car and if so what do I need to do it?

[nitrochaotik]

the easy way is to find a truck with the same wheel base and get the tib body on that frame. I have a buddy making a 4 wheel drive 1964 mustang.However i`m sure you will have a tall ride because of the truck frame.

Thats kinda hillbilly ghetto though.

As for cornering speed, it`s all about practice.I posted in the strategie and techniques under winter driving help about a class i took at the local tech school that let us zip state patrol cars around corners and dodge obstacles under slippery conditions while a partner used a switch to lock your wheels up and make you lose control. See if there is a similar class in your area and TAKE IT. I had a blast and learned a ton about vehicle control. Also talk to any of the autocross guys here ,better yet do osme autoX this summer.Gaurenteed a good time for a little bit of cash.

[MechaniX_034]

Cornering is basically timing, braking and line work. Trying to turn the car without using the brakes can actually make you slower, unless you are in a very tight course where you can use the traction rebound of the suspension to your advantage. This is all best practiced on a closed course, so as Nitro's said, find an advanced driving school and attend it, it made me realize that I was driving my car at nowhere close to its full potential.

[Gabe\'s Tuscani]

I am greatfull for everyones insight. thanx. I have alot to learn.