best shell for downforce

[fido-dido]

i have tried a 12th circuit shell on my dave years ago and it was great. planning to race my dave again circuit so do people have a prefered shell?

not looks more down force is what im after, i was thinking either the ascari or the lotus..,...


But will rather take advise on whats best

[oakey4]

Ascari shells seem to work very well at our club..Cut the wing down as it far to high when mounted on the posts.

[JimboJames1972]

Mike,

The four most common shells for circuit racing are the Lotus, Ascari, Mazda and the GT "Wedge".

The Mazda is aerodynamically the most balanced and safest shell when driven on the track. It's wide, flat windscreen, blunt nose and big wing push the aero grip well towards the rear to make it extremely neutral. It is a good all round shell, especially for beginners and club running but is not legal for Nationals.

The Lotus gives more front end aero grip. The windscreen is steeper and positioned further forwards so this gives a car that handles with more front end. It is significantly heavier than the Mazda though, and taller, and some think that this can promote more grip roll in certain conditions?

The Ascari is between the two. It has more aerodynamic grip than the Mazda and pushes this a little further forward too. However, is is also quite low and sleek and this is probably why it is popular on the circuits.

The "Wedge" is not commonly seen, although is is still legal for Nationals. It's aggressive front end shape means that positioning it on your shell exactly right is vital - too far forward gives a very front endy car, too far backwards gives understeer. Way back I had two of these shells that mounted just 5mm different to each other and the difference in grip was frightening!

The Ginetta is not legal, yet, but should get signed off next weekend at the AutoSport show. First testing though indicates its aerodynamic grip is towards the rear, more so than either the Mazda or Ascari. I'll drop you a line when I get some more test results through.

Hope this helps,

James

[jasond43]

spot on james what about the aston

[JimboJames1972]

Hi Jason,

Unfortunately I have not seen the Aston shell in the flesh yet. Nor have I had any feedback relating to its performance on the track.

However, there might be some clues in the photographs. The front end looks quite tall and blunt (I do think though that the photographic angle might be over-emphasising this quite a bit!), I'm guessing the bonnet will be relatively long, the windscreen will be quite a long way backwards and you do get what looks like the mother of all rear wings... I'm guessing it will be quite a balanced shell, perhaps handling somewhere between the Ascari and Mazda?

As soon as I get my mitts on one I will feedback.

James

[jasond43]

ill let you know tomorrow a chap has one that i sprayed