GT-40's Front-end

[DemoX]

Hi ..

1 guestion !!!

Does the front of the GT-40 suck the front-end down
so when you drive really fast you don't become a human fireball ??

DemoX aka Bo Sørensen / Bob

[ac427cpe]

normally cars are designed to do that, this is a bit of a common sense question though...

the mid 60's corvette race cars liked to lift at high speeds... i think the only car i've seen flip because of speed is the Mercedes LeMans car a while back, but that was cresting a hill... but i'm pretty sure that the engineers have taken measures to avoid that happening

[mlevea]

Interesting. Got this off the mulsannescorner database.

1967 Ford GT40 MkIV

Lift:
148 lbs. @ 150 mph, with 365 lbs. of drag
213 lbs. @ 180 mph, with 554 lbs. of drag
263 lbs. @ 200 mph, with 648 lbs. of drag
318 lbs. @ 220 mph, with 828 lbs. of drag


1966 Ford GT40 MkII

Lift:
100 lbs. @ 150 mph, with 525 lbs. of drag
144 lbs. @ 180 mph, with 756 lbs. of drag
177 lbs. @ 200 mph, with 933 lbs. of drag

It's interesting also to note that todays cars that have 1000 lbs of drag also generate 3000 lbs of downforce.

[zyajzarc]

Originally posted by ac427cpe
normally cars are designed to do that, this is a bit of a common sense question though...

the mid 60's corvette race cars liked to lift at high speeds... i think the only car i've seen flip because of speed is the Mercedes LeMans car a while back, but that was cresting a hill... but i'm pretty sure that the engineers have taken measures to avoid that happening

I believe that the Benz hit a small stone on the crest of the hill, causing a crack in the front underspoiler, and thus all downforced produced was instantly gone and the car flipped. Looked pretty cool actually since it landed right side up in a grassy area just a little to the left of the track. The driver was okay after that (probably scared sh!tless) and just continued the race like nothing happened.