[DeTomaso] Pantera Top Speeds

[gow2 at rc-tech.net]

Some of the changes I made to my car included a bolt on belly pan. As I
did repairs I included welded nuts in many locations as well as adding
tabs:

http://www.rc-tech.net/pantera1/frame/frame2.jpg

http://www.rc-tech.net/pantera1/valance/val31.jpg

http://www.rc-tech.net/pantera1/valance/val33.jpg

http://www.rc-tech.net/cars2/panttransam/bp/bp4.jpg

http://www.rc-tech.net/cars2/panttransam/bp/bp7.jpg

The belly pan extends to the engine compartment. More to add if/when I get
to a point.

The air through the front of the car exits under the car. I closed off all
the air under the car and it exits the hood. Front wheel wells vented:

http://www.rc-tech.net/pantera1/InPrimmer.jpg

http://www.rc-tech.net/pantera1/paint1/hood2.jpg

Gary

> Aero for my car is not good. While the Pantera's frontal image from an
> aero
> perspective is quite good (small w/low drag co-efficient) I have a widened
> car (10 in. in the back) with a wing, front chin spoiler and side scoops.
> Bottom line is that the car is dirty from an aero viewpoint. If I get
> serious or near 200 MPH I'll remove the wing and scoops. The chin spoiler
> is
> in steel and molded into the front. At top speed the car was stable as a
> rock and needed no effort or special handling to go straight down the
> track
> at high speed. Very calm and stable. Next stage or step is working to find
> a
> reasonable way to "belly pan" the car and build a rear diffuser. Problem
> is
> the Pantera is real dirty underneath w/stuff handing down or unevenly
> placed, etc especially mine with front and rear cross bracing being the
> lowest points.
>
> Darryl Johnson