Images and text copyright Michael J. Fuller
Note
the unusually large slot between the flap and main wing element.
Typically this slot is around 1 to 2% the main plane chord dimension and
in this case it definitely appeared larger.
The wing mounts attached to a structural composite beam that was bonded to the underside of the engine cover. In testing at Texas Motor Speedway in December of 1999, the 2KQ had a structural failure of that load bearing composite beam. In response to that, Reynard modified the wing mount structure with new mounting fins that incorporated aluminum reinforcing doubler plates. Notice the ducktail extension on the rear bodywork (black carbon bit). While the tail extension actually increased drag, it also increased rear downforce, helping balance the negative effects of the truck vanes. |
Looking
underneath pointing towards the rear of the engine cover. Note
the two structures
pointed towards the camera. These are the load bearing beams for
the wing mount. They are bonded directly to the body work and
poke
out through the top of the trailing edge of the rear bodywork and
accept the wing. The arrow points to the aluminum doubler plates. |
Side
view close up showing the aluminum reinforcement plates. |