Who was the first to put a downforce wing on a racecar?

[johnny comelately]

Was it Smokey Yunick at Indy in 1962?

[jjn9128]

On the Porsche 550 spyder of Michael May in 1956. I think it was even driver adjustable from the cockpit.

[Maritimer]

Weren't there pre-war land speed cars with wings?

[jjn9128]

Lifting wings to reduce rolling resistance though - I think 1928(?) was the first. Mercedes had air brakes from 52-55, but not downforce wings.

[johnny comelately]

On the Porsche 550 spyder of Michael May in 1956. I think it was even driver adjustable from the cockpit.

is it right that he wasnt allowed to race with it?

[J.A.W.]

From 90 years ago..

[jjn9128]

You asked who was the first not who was the first to race I don't know if he raced then was DSQ'd or just not allowed to race it?! I think the next use was a Chaparral?

[johnny comelately]

You asked who was the first not who was the first to race I don't know if he raced then was DSQ'd or just not allowed to race it?! I think the next use was a Chaparral?

Chaparral maybe 1967, a bit after Smokey

[johnny comelately]

From 90 years ago..
http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/entr ... 928_01.jpg

what is the story with this entertaining photo?

[strad]

The photo JAW posted was Fritz von Opels rocket car
Took balls back in the day. All experimental...look at the wing shape

JAW didn't the RAK stand for rocket assisted something.

[johnny comelately]

The photo JAW posted was Fritz von Opels rocket car
Took balls back in the day. All experimental...look at the wing shape
http://www.stradsplace.com/photos/Fritz ... 20Opel.jpg
JAW didn't the RAK stand for rocket assisted something.

Ha ha, fantastic, thank you

[J.A.W.]

Yeah, it goes back a fair way..
Do check out ol' Adolf's mate - Dr Porsche's T80 Mercedes-Benz LSR winged design from 1940,
built - but not run in a record attempt due to the war, it still exists - in the M-B museum collection.

(@ Strad, rocket in German, is rakette, & Dr von Braun for sure - knew how to make/run one, or two)..

[johnny comelately]

Yeah, it goes back a fair way..
Do check out ol' Adolf's mate - Dr Porsche's T80 Mercedes-Benz LSR winged design from 1940,
built - but not run in a record attempt due to the war, it still exists - in the M-B museum collection.

(@ Strad, rocket in German, is rakette, & Dr von Braun for sure - knew how to make/run one, or two)..

You should post some pictures, what a story, thank you.

[johnny comelately]

The photo JAW posted was Fritz von Opels rocket car
Took balls back in the day. All experimental...look at the wing shape
http://www.stradsplace.com/photos/Fritz ... 20Opel.jpg
JAW didn't the RAK stand for rocket assisted something.

Rocket and inverted wing, did it launch?

[J.A.W.]

Have a closer look, wing is not "inverted", but AoA is def' - in 'downforce' mode..