Wing config for a sprint car.

[OP800]

We have a rule to stay with that gives us a 16 sq.ft. area limit.
Question is which would be the better configuration for down force, a wide short or a narrow longer wing.
Thanks.

 

[rb1957]

lift is proportional to wing area, so at 1st glance it doesn't matter. lift is also proportional to CL. CL depends (to a large extent) on angle of attack and camber. But drag depends on aspect ratio (and other things, appreciate that this is a very quick reposne to your question) ... the higher the aspect ratio the less the drag. I would suspect that there is an optimum chord (width) ... if it was too narrow it wouldn't deflect the airflow much. think also how a vane works ... i think your rear deflector is generating downforce by deflecting the airlow (rather than working like a wing)

good luck