As a part of the Tyrrell 2000 ...

Published on 11 September 1997 by Verstappen Info Page

As a part of the Tyrrell 2000 programme Tyrrell announced a major joint-venture with team sponsor European Aviation, to build a new state-of-the-art wind tunnel facility in the airline's base at Bournemouth International Airport, Hampshire, England. The tunnel will come on-line next February.

The Tyrrell Wind Tunnel, which gives Tyrrell its own facility for the first time, has been specified and designed by the team, enabling it to reap the benefits of testing Formula 1 car models up to half-scale, the maximum size that current technology permits, over a continuously rotating belt that is used to simulate the moving ground.

"The development of aerodynamics by the use of scale models has become increasingly sophisticated in recent years," comments Dr Harvey Postlethwaite, Tyrrell Managing Director-Engineering. "The ability to test year-round at half-scale in our own wind tunnel will give Tyrrell's engineers a facility to complement their innovative skills. I'm delighted that the team has been able to take this big step forward." The airline will also be making use of the tunnel in a parallel programme of development for new 'hush-kits' (engine exhaust silencers) for their jet fleet.