Computational Fluid Dynamics Development of the JCB DIESELMAX Land Speed Record Vehicle

MIRA worked with JCB and Ron Ayers for thirteen months on the aerodynamic development of the JCB DIESELMAX diesel land speed record vehicle prior to it achieving all its targets on the 23rd of August 2006 when it smashed the FIA record, setting a new mark of 350.092mph. A decision was made at the beginning of the project to use Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) as the primary aerodynamic development tool due to the difficulties in testing a nine metre long vehicle at 350mph in a wind tunnel. Following five design phases and a total of twenty four runs the drag coefficient (C_D) was reduced to 0.147, with total lift coefficient at -0.141 and a near perfect 48/52 downforce balance.