2000 Reynard 2KQ Debut

Image copyright and courtesy Marc Urbano
Text copyright Michael J. Fuller

Reynard 2KQ, Sebring 2000The 2KQ was distinctive with its very blunt front fenders.  This generated high front downforce but very inefficient overall downforce levels.
Reynard 2KQ, Sebring 2000At Sebring 2000, the Reynard 2KQ showed up with these interesting nose add-on pieces.  The initial thought was that they might serve a practical function such as additional protection against rocks and debris for the very blunt nose surface.  But ultimately it was clear they served an aerodynamics function aimed as a stop-gap fix to the car's excessive drag.
The original 2KQ, with its blunt nose, spent a lot of energy moving the air aside.  This in turn created a lot of drag and reduced the overall efficiency of the car.   Indeed, the baseline, as delivered ALMS car's L/D was around 2.42:1.
Reynard 2KQ, Sebring 2000The turning vane (officially called a 'truck vane') was added to clean up the air flow, to reduce the bow wake and therefore drag.  Two versions of the truck vanes were developed, a standard version and one with shorter standoff spacers.  Both reduced drag (36 lbs for the standard version, 31 lbs for the shortened spacer version), they also had a negative impact on rear downforce.  

©Copyright 2003, Michael J. Fuller