JCB DIESELMAX will occupy a unique place in record breaking history as the first car designed entirely by computer. Besides advanced aerodynamics that break fresh ground the car is innovative in other areas.
"If there has been any variance between the way Ron Ayers approached his side of the task with the aerodynamics, and we have handled the build programme," says John Piper of Visioneering, "it is merely a cultural difference. Ron is a delight and it is a privilege to know him and to work with him. His approach has been to be as helpful to our packaging as possible. What do I need to fit the shape round? Ours has been the opposite tack! Ron, tell us what shape you want and we'll get the package inside it.
"In a Formula One team efficiency is what it's all about. You spend a lot of money trying to provide the engineering to deliver that. The problem is that nobody has done this type of record car before, so you can't walk down the pitlane and go, 'Ooh, that's a good idea.' And there are no regulations that guide you. There aren't any markers anywhere. The only markers really are the laws of physics. That's what makes it so exciting."
To facilitate visualisation of the overall car, Piper's team generated a highly detailed 2D electronic computer model of the car, revealing all of its components to help to identify the fit and practicality of each in relation to the others. A fullsize mock-up was then built for final verification of all aspects of the concept before work started on the real car.
