GREENVILLE — Under a certain set of achievable circumstances, a full-scale wind tunnel catering to the motorsports industry remains a financially viable and highly relevant option for the Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR), but it is not essential to the successful development of the motorsports component of the 250-acre research campus in Greenville.
That’s what Chris Przirembel, vice president for research and economic development at Clemson, said at a meeting of Advantage Greenville today (Oct. 27). Przirembel said that was the conclusion of a comprehensive feasibility study completed recently.
“The study confirms that under the right conditions and circumstances, specifically the commitment of a significant private sector investor, it is feasible and financially plausible for Clemson to move forward with a wind tunnel,” said Przirembel.
The idea of a wind tunnel to support aerodynamic research and innovation in motorsports was part of the original concept that evolved into CU-ICAR. Since its groundbreaking in 2003, CU-ICAR has generated more than $215 million in public and private support, including commitments by major automotive partners, such as BMW, Michelin and Timken. But, the wind tunnel project was moved to the back burner because of the facility’s high price tag – estimated by the study to be as much as $41.5 million – and the fact that development of academic programs and facilities were Clemson’s priorities.
The study, conducted by SK Strategies, LLC of Greenville, was commissioned to determine if Clemson should continue to pursue development of a wind tunnel, especially in light of interest expressed by racing team owner Gene Haas and automotive giant Toyota in building similar facilities in the region. The Haas tunnel has been announced formally for Concord, N.C.
“Financial plausibility and feasibility for a wind tunnel will be directly impacted by tunnel utilization – which will certainly be affected by competition,” Przirembel said. “Therefore, without a significant investment partner, it would be unnecessarily risky for the university to proceed at this time.”
But, Przirembel said the Clemson wind tunnel would have the distinct advantage of being part of a unique “total vehicle handling package” that includes access to academic programs, Michelin’s Laurens Proving Ground for road testing, and a Computational Center for Mobility Systems, planned for CU-ICAR, that will offer virtual aerodynamic testing.
“One significant finding of the study is that we can be successful in a highly competitive market because we can differentiate our research university-driven product by combining access to the wind tunnel with other academic, research and testing facilities,” Przirembel said.
Clemson officials and consultants will spend the next 12 months exploring partnership and funding opportunities for a wind tunnel, while work continues to complete the first of five Technology Neighborhoods at CU-ICAR.
via Clemson
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