DeTomaso Mailing List: October 97, Message #64
     



From: 	Dennis Antenucci <itbewild@gte.net>

Subject: Aerodynamics

Date: 	Thu, 2 Oct 1997 20:07:00 +0000



Dan & Others,



Hey, you speed neophytes looking to knock me off my high horse at 

the next Silver State. . .Before you hot shots spend the big bucks on 

that turbo engine with the titanium rods and valves read on.



In preparing my car for Silver State several cyperspace buds including my 

pal, "Aero" Dan Jones, provided invaluable advise on setting up my car. 

The mods to suspension, caster, and bump steer made a significant 

improvement to high speed stability. The air dam that Mike Cook installed 

- then broke :-} would have been an added asset that only time will tell 

if it is a significant improvement at high speed. It is no doubt a 

excellent way to get air around the and not under the car thereby 

increasing stability and speed.  



In the latest Hot Rod it was suggested, as Bonneville racers can attest, 

it's far easier to increase speed by improving the aerodynamics of a 

vehicle than it is to increase the horsepower. According to Rick Doria, a 

air dam on his late model Corvette was worth 20 MPH in increased top end 

speed just by preventing the air from dirtying up the underside of the 

car! While it is arguable if we can get that kind of improvement in the 

Pantera as we all KNOW the Corvette's curves suck in comparison to our 

Pantera's it never the less is interesting!   



For you techies out there (Tim Tullio & BO BO Tella, etc) you can fiddle 

with the fundamental effects of aerodynamics and get Patrick Hale's 

Bonneville computer program. . .For $95 bucks, you can experiment with as 

many different examples as your heart desires. . .Contact: Racing Systems 

Analysis, Dept. HR11, PO Box 76676, Phoenix, AZ 85011. Tel # (602)

241-1301. . .



Or you can skip all the bullshit and just go over to Curts Saturday night 

and kick my virtual ass on his "Curts Race Night". As most of us who know 

Curt already realize he runs the largest book making operation west of 

the Mississippi. 



Remember when you race at Curt's you don't need no STINKIN brakes, you 

never lift on the throttle and you don't gotta tech your car. Helmets are 

optional. . .but recommended as Curt starts throwing beer cans by 

midnight!!!! :-] Curt, I love you man. This year get us some of that 

expensive Mexican beer!!