A REAL BLOW JOB:
BRUCE SARVER'S FIREBIRD TESTS INSIDE THE GM WIND TUNNEL

By Jeff Romack.

The Aero Lab runs three eight-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, six days a week. It is here that General Motors sends its extensive line of cars and trucks through a comprehensive series of tests in order to produce the most aerodynamically efficient vehicles on the market. Information gathered here is transferred to the consumer in the form of lower fuel costs and quieter, safer automobiles.

It's Wednesday morning. But today there's a buzz in the air and a little more excitement than usual for the engineers in attendance. Instead of running a GMC Envoy or Pontiac Bonneville through its aerodynamic paces, the NHRA Pontiac Firebird Funny Car driven by Bruce Sarver is being clamped down onto the chamber platform for the 8 a.m. shift.

"The GM Aero Lab provides our race teams with a resource that is staffed by engineers and technicians with many years of experience in drag, oval track and road racing," said Harry Turner, GM Engineering Group Manager, NHRA Drag Racing. "The extensive technological support provided by our engineers is something that you just can't buy."

During a competitive run on the 24-event NHRA Winston championship circuit the objective is to traverse a quarter-mile in the least amount of time possible. Maximum downforce and minimum drag on a nitro-powered Funny Car help to achieve that goal. Working in conjunction with the proper amount of horsepower, the aerodynamics of a Pontiac Firebird Funny Car allow it to reach speeds in excess of 320 mph in less than 4.9 seconds. Although the crossover from the aero lab to the racetrack is never identical, the wind tunnel lets GM engineers closely simulate racetrack conditions while giving Sarver, his crew chief Richard Hogan and team owner Alan Johnson data they can use to improve their racecar.

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