Sheffield Hallam University helps Guy Martin break downhill speed record
Engineers at Sheffield Hallam University have helped Guy Martin break another world speed record.
The mechanic, motorbike racer and TV presenter set the new gravity racer record by hurtling down a road on Mont Ventoux in southern France at 85.61mph.
Martin is no stranger to speed or world records, having worked with engineers from Sheffield Hallam to set the world record for fastest gravity powered sled in 2013 at a speed of 83.49mph.
For the latest world record, engineers from Sheffield Hallam worked with Martin to design, test and finalise the design of the motor-less vehicle intended for use on downhill roads.
Dr Heather Driscoll from the Centre for Sports Engineering Research at Sheffield Hallam told The Engineer via email that the shape of the vehicle was designed specifically to fit around Guy Martin.
She said: ‘We created a CAD model of Guy in a near recumbent position which was selected to reduce the frontal area of the racer, but yet still allow him to drive naturally. A tubular frame was then designed around the virtual Guy.’
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