Lif and Drag Coefficient of rear wings

[Ho Hum 74]

Does anyone have any hard data on the Lift (C_L) and Drag (C_D) coefficeints of various rear wings. I'm interested in the RS America (or Carrera) rear wing, ducktail or Turbo.

Thinking of running sans the RS America wing I currently have because I'm not convinced that the lift benefit outweighs the drag at long tracks like Road America.

Ideas?

Thanks

[ChrisBennet]

I think the ducktail decreased drag. I think the wings are win-win in some cases at least.
-Chris

[Ho Hum 74]

Well, as far as I know, there's no win/win in aerodynamics only compromise. There's this thing called lift induced drag which says that the drag increases as lift increases. This is due to increased circulation and the energy required to create it. There are two other forms of drag: Surface friction (proportional to the suface area) and frontal drag (proportional to the frontal area). Do you have any data to support the ducktail theory?

[ChrisBennet]

Originally Posted by Ho Hum 74

Well, as far as I know, there's no win/win in aerodynamics only compromise. There's this thing called lift induced drag which says that the drag increases as lift increases. This is due to increased circulation and the energy required to create it. There are two other forms of drag: Surface friction (proportional to the suface area) and frontal drag (proportional to the frontal area). Do you have any data to support the ducktail theory?

Consider yourself enlightened now.
major effect of the Ducktail is to reduce drag!.

[island911]

Originally Posted by ChrisBennet

Consider yourself enlightened now.
major effect of the Ducktail is to reduce drag!.

+1 (that's an entertaining thread, as well)

also see: downforce v weigt/drag (more of the same . . but not as entertaining.)

[Jack Olsen]

The Frere test graphs have been posted dozens of times. A search would find them pretty easily, I think. The duck and the early tails were net gains, both in terms of lift and drag.

Drag isn't as big a deal with track cars as it is with airplanes. At tracks that benefit from aero, you'll benefit more from downforce than you'll suffer for drag. I've never driven Road America -- but here's a worthwhile question: do the class-winning cars run big wings there?

[Bill Verburg]

I think you will find all the info that you want here
Lift & Drag

[Bill Verburg]

If not here is a Search page for lift and drag