the roof scoop?

Okay I have heard many people say the only reason for a roof scoop is so you can bring fresh air in when you don't have a/c...like in rally cars. BUT I know the MC12 is far from a rally car and it most likely has working A/C. So does anybody know what it is for?

The air intake for the engine.

The air intake for the engine.
Do roof scoops help with downforce?

Some front engine GT race cars have roof scoops, but they are likely for cooling.

I'm not sure if they help with downforce on the MC12.

The reason I ask is because I have a mid-engine car and I always see roof scoops on the "supercars". I thought i might be able to use one. I'm alla bout function 1st, then form

i don't think the MC12 absolutley needed the Roof Scoop. Maserati chose to give up rear visibility and put a roof scoop for the engine's intake. The MC12 uses the Enzo's engine, but the Enzo doesn't use a roof scoop. The Enzo gets its air from the huge side intakes. Therefore it still has rear visibility. but The MC12 also has massive side intakes, I'm 90% sure they could have used those for the intake air like the Enzo did. But then again, you can't have a Maserati beating the ultimate Ferrari.

Do roof scoops help with downforce?
it helps with drag, as in, creating it...

See the scoop right here... _____________________________________

http://motorsport.com/photos/alms/2005/ls/alms-2005-ls-bh-0118.jpg

and if you look at the enzo, it takes air from the side scoop's
http://www.testarossa.nl/gallery/enzo_engine.jpg