LA Auto Show 2016: Nerd’s Eye View – Race Cars and Randoms

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BMW has had a relationship with the USA Olympic team, having designed the bobsled for the winter Olympics. BMW has stepped up and designed a racing wheel chair too.
This wheel is similar to a bicycle wheel with a carbon dished rim and flat spokes for aerodynamics. A brake caliper is mounted at the rear in what I’d guess is the lowest aero drag position.
The steering handles look like little winglets and are likely designed for ergonomics and aero performance.
That bucket seat is all there is for the rider to sit in. It reminds me a bit of the back seat in a 911, now that I think about it. Thin carbon fenders cover the wheels where the rider’s arms will be. Full disk wheels are used to reduce drag. The front wheel is not a full disk, likely to prevent the front end from getting blown all over the place by a crosswind and therefore causing the wheel chair to turn. A crosswind hitting the rear full disk wheels will not have an affect on steering.
This is the rear of the carbon monocoque chassis. There’s a cutout in the disk to get to the air valve of the tire.

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