The principles which allow aircraft to fly are also applicable in car racing. The only difference being the wing or airfoil shape is mounted upside down producing downforce instead of lift. The Bernoulli Effect means that: if a fluid (gas or liquid) flows around an object at different speeds, the slower moving fluid will exert more pressure than the faster moving fluid on the object. The object will then be forced toward the faster moving fluid. The wing of an airplane is shaped so that the air moving over the top of the wing moves faster than the air beneath it. Since the air pressure under the wing is greater than that above the wing, lift is produced. The shape of the Indy car exhibits the same principle. The shape of the chasis is similar to an upside down airfoil. The air moving under the car moves faster than that above it, creating downforce or negative lift on the car. Airfoils or wings are also used in the front and rear of the car in an effort to generate more downforce. Downforce is necessary in maintaining high speeds through the corners and forces the car to the track. Light planes can take off at slower speeds than a ground effects race car can generate on the track. An Indy ground effect race car can reach speeds in excess of 230 mph using downforce. In addition the shape of the underbody (an inverted wing) creates an area of low pressure between the bottom of the car and the racing surface. This sucks the car to road which results in higher cornering speeds.
The total aerodynamic package of the race car is emphasized now more than ever before. Teams that plan on staying competitive use track testing and wind tunnels to develop the most efficient aerodynamic design. The focus of their efforts is on the aerodynamic forces of negative lift or downforce and drag. The relationship between drag and downforce is especially important. Aerodynamic improvements in wings are directed at generating downforce on the race car with a minimum of drag. Downforce is necessary for maintaining speed through the corners. Unwanted drag which accompanies downforce will slow the car. The efficient design of a chassis is based on a downforce/drag compromise. In addition the specific race circuit will place a different demand on the aerodynamic setup of the car.
A road course with low speed corners, requires a car setup with a high downforce package. A high downforce package is necessary to maintain speeds in the corners and to reduce wear on the brakes. This setup includes large front and rear wings. The front wings have additional flaps which are adjustable. The rear wing is made up of three sections that maximize downforce.
The speedway setup looks much different. The front and rear wings are almost flat and are used as stabilizers. The major downforce is found in the shape of the body and underbody. Drag reduction is more critical on the speedway than on other circuits. Since the drag force is proportional to the square of the speed, minimizing drag is a primary concern in the speedway setup. Lap speeds can average over 228 mph and top speeds can exceed 240 mph on a speedway circuit. Effective use of downforce is especially pronounced in highspeed corners. A race car traveling at 200 mph. can generate downforce that is approximately twice its own weight.
Generating the necessary downforce is concentrated in three specific areas of the car. The ongoing challenge for team engineers is to fine tune the airflow around these areas.
