Text and images copyright Michael J. Fuller
Road Cars:
Race Cars: |
Updated 1.14.10
Some of these entries come from open sources. In those cases I try and note which book or magazine, and more importantly, the specific issue (if a periodical). On the other hand, some of this data has been acquired by me personally and in those cases I note the actual person from whom I received the data as well as any other relevant notes relating to testing cicumstances or car setup. It's important to
note that while late generation GTP cars had the ability to develop
upwards
of 10,000 lbs of downforce at 200 mph, the drag associate with that
level
of downforce often meant that maximum speeds in such a configuration
would
mean 150 mph would be a more relevant threshold. So while 200
mph
is the speed regime often quoted, it is only a means of equivalency
between
data and shows aerodynamic potential. A note about terminology Typically the term 'lift' is used when talking about any kind of aerodynamically induced force acting on a surface. This is then given an indicator, either '+' or '-' as to its direction. In racing the term 'lift' is generally avoided as its meaning is almost always implied as positive, i.e., lifting the car off the track. With in this database, when ever the term 'lift' is used its meaning should be implied as positive force. The term 'downforce', therefore, should always be implied as negative force, i.e., pushing the car to the road. |