Down Force by Phillip Whelan

Down force is created by the use of front and rear wings to improve grip and stability at high speeds.

Front and rear wings used on race cars are designed to work in the opposite way to those of an aircraft. The faster moving air across the underside of the wing producing an area of lower pressure than that over the top surface with the slower moving air. This forces the car on the track improving grip, handling and stability.

The faster the car travels, the greater the down force exerted by it's aerodynamics'. On an open wheeled formula one car, (depending on it's design) the down force effect at 150km/h - 200km/h is about equal to the cars own weight. By the time the race car has reached it's top speed the down force effect has increased to about double that of the car's weight.

Race teams around the world speed millions of dollars in research to improve their race car's aerodynamics' and thus enhance it's on track performance.

(Some open wheel race cars are also fitted with "Barge Boards", the main function of these is to direct cooling air to side mounted radiators).

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