If there is an extra downward force, the only way the sum of the forces will be zero is if the normal force increases. This means that the new acceleration will be larger because the frictional force will be larger.
Instead of getting a maximum acceleration of 6-7 m/s squared, you can now get even higher values, perhaps 15 m/s or even 20 m/s.2. McMurtry Spierling in the video accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in…wait for it…1.4 seconds. Just thinking about it makes my ears close up.
The idea of fans is not new. In 1978, the Brabham BT46B used it to win the F1 Swedish Grand Prix, but it was soon banned. But the idea of increasing downward force lives on. Today’s F1 cars use clever methods to direct airflow through the body to achieve a similar ‘ground effect’. It is justified by saying that its purpose is to cool the engine.
While these airflow systems help cool the engine, we all know that their real purpose is to create low pressure under the car and draw it closer to the road. In fact, the new McLaren W1 we recently reviewed is a road car that touts this. (You can buy it for $2.6 million, or you could have if you had signed up in time. McLaren only produced 399 cars.)
The great thing is that this high acceleration isn’t just for speed. It’s also a type of acceleration, so it can also slow the car down faster or make sharper turns. Downward propulsion can turn a fast car into a ridiculously fast one. If that’s what you want. For me, I’m happy if I can drive a red car.
