New Wind Tunnel: Gary Eaker, on November 2, 2001, broke ground on the site for his venture, AeroDyn Wind Tunnel, located in Barley Park, Mooresville, NC. While not everyone has a need for a full-scale wind tunnel test facility, the large number of NASCAR teams located in and around Mooresville, NC certainly do and Mr. Eaker is determined to provide those services in a convenient and cost effective setting. The nearly half acre building which will house the wind tunnel is small by comparison to other, “conventional” wind tunnels. “While the need for a local facitlity has been obvious to any observer of NASCAR activities” says Eaker, “the problem has been in the perception that one has to be on the scale of those currently in use. (Lockheed in Georgia, General Motors in Michigan, and NRC in Ottawa, Canada) Our facility is going to produce similar wind velocity and greater measurability of the type that these racing teams are looking for. The tunnel will incorporate some unique ideas that I have been working on for the past few years that will allow us to offer a more affordable package, making these services available to more of the teams.” Mr. Eaker knows his business. Since 1994, he has been the Chief Aerodynamicist for Hendrick Motorsports. Prior to his joining Hendrick Motorsports, Eaker spent nearly 20 years operating the GM Wind Tunnel in Michigan. He even applied his theoretical knowledge to a land speed record run at Bonneville Salt Flats, breaking the existing world record for his class, running at nearly 300 mph in the measured mile. Prestige Building Company of Troutman, NC has been chosen by AeroDyn to construct the building which will house the wind tunnel and architectural duties have been assigned to Wilber Associates of Davidson, NC. Mike Clark, owner of Prestige Building, expressed his excitement in being chosen to contract the construction of such a unique structure. “No one has built a full scale wind tunnel in the past 20 years and a building of such a specialized design has provided some interesting challenges.” said Mr.Clark. “It has been enjoyable working with an engineer like Gary, since you know his calculations for some of the more intricate parts of the puzzle have been thoroughly planned and double checked.” The NASCAR community is eagerly awaiting the completion of the wind tunnel for more than one reason. AeroDyn has already signed up some of the top Winston Cup teams for more than 1,000 test hours. Foremost in the minds of the teams is the location. AeroDyn Wind Tunnel expects to open for testing in September 2002(AeroDyn PR)(11-3-2001) (11-2-2001)
