rec.autos.simulators

OT Nascar racers

Semi

OT Nascar racers

by Semi » Thu, 15 Feb 2001 07:45:48

I've just started to get into motor racing and as i'm a bit of a "techie"
theres something that that im curious about NASCAR

Ive noticed on a couple of model cars and some diagrams that the roofs of
the vehicles seem to accomodate two small flaps on the roof

What are they for?

Mike Donnelly J

OT Nascar racers

by Mike Donnelly J » Thu, 15 Feb 2001 08:00:21

They're called 'roof flaps' and thier purpose is to try and keep the cars
planted in a high speed, high yaw enviroment.  Ie. a spinning car.  Right
around the 190-200 mph mark there is a tendency for the car to take on
aerodynamic properties resembling an airfoil and 'lift' off the ground - and
possilbly into the stands.  That is when the car is rotating and is either
having the side or the rear going into the wind.  The flaps are designed to
respond to the change in air pressure and deploy - which disrupt the lifting
force and keeps the car on the ground.  So far it's worked remarkably well.

> I've just started to get into motor racing and as i'm a bit of a "techie"
> theres something that that im curious about NASCAR

> Ive noticed on a couple of model cars and some diagrams that the roofs of
> the vehicles seem to accomodate two small flaps on the roof

> What are they for?

Doug Millike

OT Nascar racers

by Doug Millike » Thu, 15 Feb 2001 08:27:42

Go to <http://www.sae.org> and search the collections of
tech papers from the previous Motorsports Technology Conferences.
There was a good SAE paper given by the people that developed the
roof flaps -- a joint development by NASCAR, GM and Ford, maybe
4 years ago?

While you are there, you can also see our book (shameless plug) at:
<http://www.sae.org/servlets/productDetail?PROD_TYP=BOOK&PROD_CD=R-146>


> I've just started to get into motor racing and as i'm a bit of a "techie"
> theres something that that im curious about NASCAR

> Ive noticed on a couple of model cars and some diagrams that the roofs of
> the vehicles seem to accomodate two small flaps on the roof

> What are they for?

Semi

OT Nascar racers

by Semi » Thu, 15 Feb 2001 15:20:37

so when were these introduced?


> Go to <http://www.sae.org> and search the collections of
> tech papers from the previous Motorsports Technology Conferences.
> There was a good SAE paper given by the people that developed the
> roof flaps -- a joint development by NASCAR, GM and Ford, maybe
> 4 years ago?

> While you are there, you can also see our book (shameless plug) at:
> <http://www.sae.org/servlets/productDetail?PROD_TYP=BOOK&PROD_CD=R-146>


> > I've just started to get into motor racing and as i'm a bit of a
"techie"
> > theres something that that im curious about NASCAR

> > Ive noticed on a couple of model cars and some diagrams that the roofs
of
> > the vehicles seem to accomodate two small flaps on the roof

> > What are they for?

Dan Belch

OT Nascar racers

by Dan Belch » Fri, 16 Feb 2001 11:58:37

1994 I believe.  Rusty Wallace's 1993 flip at Talladega that resulted in some
injures spawned the roof flaps.

-----------------------------------------
Dan Belcher
Team Racing Unlimited
http://simcrash.00game.com


rec.autos.simulators is a usenet newsgroup formed in December, 1993. As this group was always unmoderated there may be some spam or off topic articles included. Some links do point back to racesimcentral.net as we could not validate the original address. Please report any pages that you believe warrant deletion from this archive (include the link in your email). RaceSimCentral.net is in no way responsible and does not endorse any of the content herein.