3ELEVEN SUPPLEMENTARY MANUAL V2 -26JUL
PAGE 9 OF 79
BODY
1.1 BODY: BODYSIDES, FRONT AND REAR CLAMSHELLS, A PANELS AND CROSS CAR PANELS
The key to the lightweight panels is a bespoke resin infusion composite process. A preform binder is applied during the
layup of glass fibre reinforcement in panel moulds to fixate the fibre in the desired shapes. Then the heated mould tools
are pressurized and infused with a custom epoxy resin system at high pressure. By closely controlling the temperature,
flow and pressure of the resin through the moulds, the process minimizes the amount of resin required – reducing panel
weight – while maximizing quality and finish.
1.2 CANARDS
The canards help generate down force in two different ways. First, the canard redirects the oncoming air's momentum
upwards, which causes a downward force on the canard. This is only moderate, since the velocity near the skin is
significantly slower than in the free stream because of boundary layer effect.
In addition, canards, generate strong vortices that travel down the sides of the car and act as a barrier. These strong
vortices act to keep high-pressure air around the car from entering the low-pressure under body region, thus
maintaining more down force.
The A-surface (around the canards) also acts to reduce the vehicle wake.
1.3 SPLITTER, UNDERTRAY & DIFFUSER
The front splitter is manufactured from marine ply in an attempt to assist in reducing the running costs of the vehicle.
The rear diffuser is composite and tuned to provide maximum downforce for minimal drag. These 3 components all
work together to smooth the airflow underneath the vehicle, again reducing drag and improving downforce.
1.4 REAR WING
The Lotus 3-Eleven has a rear wing with provision for adjustment of the angle of incidence. The rear wing works in
conjunction with the rest of the body, the front splitter and the rear diffuser to produce downforce. This is the effect
the air has on the moving vehicle. It also has the effect of causing drag.
The carbon spar rear wing is adjustable. It is set at the preferred factory setup condition. Adjustments should be made
on the forward holes only, each hole position change is 2 degrees (normalized). The figure below shows the adjustment
range relative to its self (not car line position). Each side must use the same hole position, and all fixings tightened to 10
Nm.
5
3
1
4
2
Hole position 3 equals
base/factory setting for
RACE
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