Downforce is a beautiful thing. There was (according to folklore) a batch
of early XK-120s imported to the states that kicked the snot out of
everything, including other 120s. It was determined that this batch had
come off a particular ship somewhere in Jersey or New York, and while being
driven off the boat had damage that creased the underpinnings, creating a
venturi effect and providing downforce (or, more likely just reducing lift)
that wasn't present before.
True? Doubt it, but great legend anyway.
----------
> From: Mike Gigante <mikeg@vicnet.net.au>
> To: Lancer7676@aol.com; mayfam@sprynet.com; Daniel1312@aol.com;
Spridgets@autox.team.net
> Subject: Re: Wind tunnel access
> Date: Sunday, December 13, 1998 1:08 PM
>
> I can tell you from experience that a bugeye sprite gets pretty light
> of steering at > 120mph! I wish I could have had a front spoiler on
> but it was against the rules.
>
> The fastest bugeye was doing well over 130mph!
>
> On my race car (MkIII sprite), the addition of a spoiler made the 120mph
> first turn at Phillip Island less of a drama.
>
> Mike
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lancer7676@aol.com <Lancer7676@aol.com>
> To: mayfam@sprynet.com <mayfam@sprynet.com>; Daniel1312@aol.com
> <Daniel1312@aol.com>; Spridgets@autox.team.net <Spridgets@autox.team.net>
> Date: Saturday, December 12, 1998 4:28 AM
> Subject: Re: Wind tunnel access
>
>
> >Just how fast are your Spridgets? Are you packing 427 cu in. under
those
> >bonnets? I don't think my Midget would ever go fast enough to worry much
> about
> >wind drag and aerodynamics. If it did my guess is the hood would lift
it
> off
> >the ground and I would have the world's first Midget Blimp (At least for
a
> few
> >moments). I guess the topic is interesting enough, but I am reminded of
> all
> >the family cars I see on the highway with spoilers on the rear. I
betcha
> as I
> >lose hair the drag decreases just a frag as the wind blows over the
> windscreen
> >and across my dome.
> >
> >--In good Humor--David
> >
>
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