Warton winds put racers on track

Warton scientists and engineers are using technology aimed at developing the Eurofighter Typhoon to help improve the racing speed of the Great Britain bobsleigh team.
By Rebecca Draper
Published 1st Aug 2013, 14:00 BST
The Great Britain four-man bobsleigh team visit the wind tunnel facility at WartonThe Great Britain four-man bobsleigh team visit the wind tunnel facility at Warton
The Great Britain four-man bobsleigh team visit the wind tunnel facility at Warton

The four-man team – medal hopefuls for next year’s Winter Games – spent three days in the wind tunnel facility at BAE Systems in a bid to shave seconds off their time.

The wind tunnel, normally used to test fighter jets at speeds of over 200mph, was used to simulate full bobsleigh racing conditions and examine how different crew positions affect wind resistance at speeds of well over 65mph.

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The team – Joel Fearon, Bruce Tasker, Stuart Benson and driver John Jackson – will be heading to the Games in Sochi, Russia, next February.

Gary Anderson, performance director for the GB bobsleigh team, said: “We are leaving no stone unturned to maximise our performance.”

During the testing the teams were joined by a BBC film crew from Dara O’Briain’s Science Club programme, which will be featured during the show at 8pm tomorrow on BBC Two.

Kelvin Davies, BAE Systems project manager for the technology partnership, added: “Designing and engineering some of the world’s most complex products means that we are at the forefront of technological innovation.”

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Related topics:WartonGreat BritainBAE SystemsGary Anderson