RE: the function of rear wings...

["Scott F. Williams" <sfwilliams@home.com>]

Mark wrote:
> They are called spoilers because they SPOIL the
> airflow around the car, hence the air pushes down on
> the spoiler who in turn pushes down on the back of the
> car so the rear axle has more traction, as the rear of
> a car has a tendency to lift at speed.

Technically speaking, those GTX units are indeed wings. A plane that allows
air on both sides is a wing. A device affecting airflow that does *not*
permit air on both sides is called a spoiler (e.g. a front airdam).
Regardless, they can "spoil" the airflow around the car as you state. They
also facilitate reattachment of laminar flow around the rear of the car. In
turn, this decreases turbulence and drag.

"click"
(nerd mode off for the moment)
--
Scott F. Williams
NJ Scirocco nut
Golf GTI 16v rallycar
Mazda 323 GTX turbo assault vehicle

Check out our rally team's website!
http://www.usrallyteam.com>


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