TwinTurbo.NET: Nissan 300ZX forum - Actually "too light" is more accurate.
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Subject Actually "too light" is more accurate.
     
Posted by Marshall on February 10, 2004 at 2:23 PM
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In Reply To Not to light...not enough down force. (n/m) posted by SactoTodd on February 10, 2004 at 01:58 PM
     
Message Unlike F1 and Indy cars who have big wings to produce loads of downforce for better handling, speed record cars usually use ballast to keep the car down. The reason is that wings that create downforce also make lots of drag, and aerodynamic drag vs power and grip is ultimately what limits the top speed of a car. Weight hardly affects top speed, it just makes the car accelerate slower. It does increase rolling resistance, but that's very minor compared to aerodynamic drag. Since form follows function, for top speed runs you get cars which are very clean and streamlined, but very heavy.

This isn't the Z, but here's a car made for speed runs and you can take a look at the mods they did to make it faster. Note how they remove protuberances to make the car more streamlined and they add lots of dead weight.

[ http://www.rbmotorsports.com/thecar.html ]

Here's another:

[ http://www.bankspower.com/Banks_Sidewinder/ballast_tank_system.cfm ]

     
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