From: Aidan 09/11/2000 0:34:48 Subject: if golf balls move thru the air faster post id: 166190 why arent formula one cars dimpled? or is it because golf balls are round? From: RWW ® 09/11/2000 0:38:43 Subject: re: if golf balls move thru the air faster post id: 166192 The dimples in a golf ball give the ball lift by capturing packets of air when the ball is spinning. You don't want a F1 car to fly. The lift is what give the golf ball its range when in flight. RWW From: Martin Smith (Avatar) 09/11/2000 0:42:41 Subject: re: if golf balls move thru the air faster post id: 166193 Well actually the aerofoils on a F1 car do fly. A golf balls dimples reduce drag rather than add lift. In fact some of the exoctic dimpled golf balls exhibit a lot less lift when spinning, so slice or draw less (which is not neccessarily an advantage). MS From: Alan™ ® 09/11/2000 0:46:25 Subject: re: if golf balls move thru the air faster post id: 166195 mmm ... intersting thought. How much thought have they yet put into improving air flow, by playing around with the surface texture. I know with boats matt finishes are quicker than glass, because of the surface tension created between the hull and the water. From: Mike V 09/11/2000 8:50:45 Subject: re: if golf balls move thru the air faster post id: 166263 I read that there is a standard distance that golf balls are allowed to fly after a standard force is applied. The ones that go furter are not allowed. The ones that just make it are kept for the pros. Matt surfaces on boats are faster than gloss. Fastest surface is the stick on 3M stuff with grooves that was copied from sharks. Dimpling the surface of a F1 car would effect the car's most important function. That of being a billboard. A dimpled surface would make quick changes of damaged logos more difficult. From: James R (Avatar) 09/11/2000 9:27:43 Subject: re: if golf balls move thru the air faster post id: 166275 Interestingly, the aerodynamics of a Formula One car are such that it generates so much down force at high speed that it could be driven upside-down on the ceiling of a tunnel. It would "stick" to the roof and not fall off. JR This forum is un-moderated. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individual poster and not the ABC. The ABC reserves the right to remove offensive or inappropriate messages.