Wirth Research

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Wirth Research
Company typeEngineering
Wirth Research Ltd
Industry LeMans LMP Engineering Racing Design Simulators F1
Founded2003
Founder Nicholas Wirth
Headquarters
Bicester, Oxfordshire
,
England
Website www.wirthresearch.com

Wirth Research was founded by Nicholas Wirth in 2003, specialising in research, development, design and manufacture for the motor racing industry and other high technology sectors.

Contents

The company uses virtual engineering technologies to enable a completely simulated vehicle design, development and testing process. Wirth Research is known for deviating from traditional physical development models; most notably neglecting to use a wind tunnel and instead relying solely upon computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to design the 2010 Virgin Racing VR-01 Formula 1 car. [1]

Wirth Research had a partnership with Honda Performance Development Inc (HPD) which is responsible for the design, development and manufacture of the ARX sports cars. [2] Wirth Research also provided client IndyCar teams with full technical support.

Wirth Research now uses computational fluid dynamics technology to design energy products for buildings, supermarkets, and retailers.

History

In 2003, Wirth Research initially focused on the motorsport industry, using CFD technologies to design and develop high-performance racing vehicles. [3] In 2005, Wirth Research partnered with Honda and won the Indianapolis 500 (Indy 500) race. [4] In 2006, Wirth Research started development of the Acura ARX-01 series to launch in the American Le Mans Series in 2007. [5] In 2007, Wirth Research’s Acura ARX-01 won its class at the 12 Hours of Sebring Race. [6]

In 2009, Wirth designed the LMP 1 Car ARX-02a, which achieved 8 wins at the American Le Mans Race. [7] In 2010, the company partnered with Virgin Racing in Formula 1, where it designed the VR-01a, the first Formula 1 car to be designed without the use of a wind tunnel. [8] In 2012, Wirth Research sold the Formula 1 arm of its business to Marussia Virgin Racing. Meanwhile, the ARX-03a and 03b cars competed in LMP1 and LMP2 classes, winning both class championships in ALMS, and LMP2 class wins in the World Championship and Le Mans 24hr. [9] In 2014, Hunter-Reay, driving the No. 28 DHL car for Andretti Autosport, designed by Wirth Research, wins the Indiana 500. [10]

In 2015, After pivoting the business to focus on low-carbon engineering, Wirth Research used its CFD technology to develop aerodynamic kits for Eddie Stobart trucks and trailers. [11] In 2017, Wirth Research launched its Tilt Rotor, Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL), hydrogen fuel cell powered, advanced terrain mapping drone. [12] Wirth Research also worked with Lockheed Martin to develop a light-weight unmanned aircraft system. [13] In 2021, Wirth Research relocated its supercomputing operations to Verne Global's data center campus in Iceland. [14]

Diversification from F1

Since 2015, Wirth Research pivoted from F1 aerodynamic design, and applied its CFD technology to create products to be used in retail spaces and the built environment. These products include the AirDoor, [15] the EcoBlade, [16] TrueChill [17] and Aerokit. [18]

Wirth Research’s products have been installed in Waitrose [19] and John Lewis. [20]

Awards and Recognitions

References

  1. ↑ "Wirth Research breaks new ground in design of Virgin F1 car". Pitpass. 15 December 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  2. ↑ "Mulsanne's Corner: 2007-2011 Acura/HPD ARX-01a, b, c, d, e, & g". www.mulsannescorner.com. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  3. ↑ Research, Wirth. "Wirth Research Investing in Engineering Skills". www.prnewswire.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  4. ↑ "Andretti Autosport Partners With Wirth". Performance Racing Industry. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  5. ↑ "Mulsanne's Corner: 2007-2011 Acura/HPD ARX-01a, b, c, d, e, & g". www.mulsannescorner.com. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  6. ↑ Truswell, Paul (15 December 2013). "Trussers (Paul Truswell's blog): Wirth Research". Trussers (Paul Truswell's blog). Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  7. ↑ Truswell, Paul (15 December 2013). "Trussers (Paul Truswell's blog): Wirth Research". Trussers (Paul Truswell's blog). Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  8. ↑ "Wirth Research breaks new ground in design of Virgin F1 car". Pitpass. 15 December 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  9. ↑ "HPD ARX-03", Wikipedia, 31 January 2025, retrieved 15 April 2025
  10. ↑ "Hunter-Reay Wins the 2014 Indianapolis 500". www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  11. ↑ "Wirth Research - Mulholland Media". Mulholland Media - Lake District Photography & Video UK. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  12. ↑ "Wirth Research Announces World's first Vertical Take Off and Landing Long Endurance Hydrogen-Powered Unmanned Aircraft". sUAS News. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  13. ↑ "Lockheed Martin Unveils a New Lightweight Canister Launched Unmanned Aircraft System at the Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition (DSEI)". Media - Lockheed Martin. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  14. ↑ "Computational Fluid Dynamics Expert Wirth Research Turns to Verne Global to Go Carbon Zero". Archived from the original on 21 September 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  15. ↑ "Invisible door could save retailers millions of pounds". The Business Magazine. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  16. ↑ Gaved, Andrew (18 February 2019). "Waitrose ups the ante on F1 shelf technology by going twin-blade with the EcoBlade". Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  17. ↑ Hatton, Gemma (18 June 2024). "Helping Supermarkets Save Energy With Refrigeration Aerodynamics Simulation". ENGYS. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  18. ↑ Campbell, Tim. "Wirth Research uses motorsport technology for HGV drag reduction". www.fleetnews.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  19. ↑ Gaved, Andrew (13 June 2019). "Waitrose claims 40 per cent energy savings with new Wirth technology". Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  20. ↑ "Retailers are helping consumers live more sustainable lives despite cost-of-living challenge". brc.org.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  21. ↑ "Green Awards 2025". www.greenawards.ie. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  22. ↑ "Winners of the 2024 NACS Convenience Retail Awards Europe revealed". www.mobilityplaza.org. 22 April 2025. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  23. ↑ Metropolis. "Energy Awards 2025 - 2024 winners". theenergyawards.com. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  24. ↑ "Finalists revealed for the Thames Valley Tech Awards 2023". The Business Magazine. 6 June 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  25. ↑ "CIBSE Building Performance Awards 2023 Winners". www.cibse.org. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
  26. ↑ "Engineering company receives one of the last prestigious awards from Queen". Oxford Mail. 18 May 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
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