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Andre40 · 02-17-03, 01:43 AM

Hi Chris L,

I believe that Hodges is correct about his comment that the GT40 spoiler was the first.

In view of the early association between Ford and Eric Broadley I’m sure that Maggs’ and Olthoff’s scary experience at the ‘Ring must have given everyone concerned a big wake up call and must have placed a great deal more emphasis on the question of aerodynamics.

The shallow upturned lip on the tail section of the GT40, minor as it be might be, certainly had the desired effect. In fact exactly a year later at the ‘Ring Phil Hill and Bruce McLaren didn’t go hedge trimming. The only problem with the early prototype was the wedge shaped nose which had a once only change to the present nose.

In the 1960s a British magazine did a test on a Jag E-Type and discovered that when the correct number plate, mounted under the nose, was removed it would add 10 mph to the top speed. I say correct number plate because it was common practice in those years to have stick-on plates on the nose above the air intake.

From the 1970s until today I was under the impression that thanks to computers, wind tunnels and other sophisticated devices, aerodynamics had become an exact science. However when in recent years three works Mercedes-Benz did backwards flips at Le Mans I’m not entirely convinced.

Best wishes,
Andre 40

02-17-03, 01:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
Andre40 5 Tenths Join Date: Jan 2003 GT40: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 530 Rep Power: 11	Re: Lola GT Mk6, the \'Ring, Le Mans, Aerodynamics Hi Chris L, I believe that Hodges is correct about his comment that the GT40 spoiler was the first. In view of the early association between Ford and Eric Broadley I’m sure that Maggs’ and Olthoff’s scary experience at the ‘Ring must have given everyone concerned a big wake up call and must have placed a great deal more emphasis on the question of aerodynamics. The shallow upturned lip on the tail section of the GT40, minor as it be might be, certainly had the desired effect. In fact exactly a year later at the ‘Ring Phil Hill and Bruce McLaren didn’t go hedge trimming. The only problem with the early prototype was the wedge shaped nose which had a once only change to the present nose. In the 1960s a British magazine did a test on a Jag E-Type and discovered that when the correct number plate, mounted under the nose, was removed it would add 10 mph to the top speed. I say correct number plate because it was common practice in those years to have stick-on plates on the nose above the air intake. From the 1970s until today I was under the impression that thanks to computers, wind tunnels and other sophisticated devices, aerodynamics had become an exact science. However when in recent years three works Mercedes-Benz did backwards flips at Le Mans I’m not entirely convinced. Best wishes, Andre 40