aseanaero wrote:
What's the best technique for the quickest time around a closed course ?
1. The shortest possible route around the course pulling limit / max g turns around the pylons ?
2. A slightly wider route requiring less G in turns reducing induced drag losses and possibly a higher average indicated airspeed.
Thanks
Never raced Reno, but a few hours in high performance prop fighters.
Basically speaking, the race turn scenario is a bit different that a maximum turn scenario for a fighter seeking the BEST path around a race course.
Aerodynamically, you get your best turn rate and shortest turn radius at a fighter's corner velocity where you marry max available g to a specific airspeed. But the race scenario is a bit different. You don't necessarily want your best radius and rate making your way around a race course. There are WAY too many variables involved in a race.
First off, you are above your corner speed rounding a pylon (or you better be anyway

so forget corner speed as your prime factor.
Above corner, you are g limited and g is a HUGE factor in a race and perhaps not for the reason you might be thinking.
The ability to pull g is important, but pulling g causes drag which is the last thing a race pilot wants. So the bottom line is to find the right combination of g and airspeed that finds the smoothest path through the corner considering engine parameters and flight safety considerations.
Add to this that a race pilot will be playing the vertical plane as well on the course as conditions permit. Energy management and SMOOTH flying, laying off as much g as possible (planning well ahead of the airplane) will get you around the course about as fast as possible.
Dudley Henriques