[RightWhale]

If there were a headwind of 10 mph would this creation get any miles at all?

[ajolympian2004]

If there were a headwind of 10 mph would this creation get any miles at all?

Who knows???

What I take from this story is that our high school students are busy tackling the problem of America's dependency on foreign oil. Maybe they'll apply their learned knowledge into producing a very fuel efficient ethanol based vehicle. God knows that our country can produce more than enough corn for to make a significant dent in the amopunt of oil we import from the Middle East.

[GSlob]

"If there were a headwind of 10 mph would this creation get any miles at all?"
yes, a bit less than 10mph in the direction of the wind, unless they tack.

[sgtbono2002]

They make ten laps at 15 mph and then mathematically figure gas mileage. They dont really travel 1100 Miles.

At this rate it would take 3 days to run the Indianapolis 500 if it werent stopped for wrecks and caution flags.

Pretty sure they stay close to the line at the bottom of the track.Hitting the wall at 15mph could be dangerous.

[Lokibob]

"If there were a headwind of 10 mph would this creation get any miles at all?"

 

Pointless question because:

a-  It is a demo of the technology.

b-  The question is counterproductive.

c-  It was never intended to be sold.

d-  Wind loading was not in the rules.

e-  Most importantly, high school kids did it.

 

Why denigrate this super accomplishment?

[thackney]

If there were a headwind of 10 mph would this creation get any miles at all?

If you asked the kids, they could tell you. Their proposal had to include:

This section must include a discussion of the aerodynamic qualities of the vehicle. It must include a calculation of the vehicle’s aerodynamic drag showing the value of all factors involved and the equation used for the calculation. The impact of headwinds, tailwinds and crosswinds must be evaluated.

This does not look like a simple go-cart competition.