Why do speedway cars wear those weird hats?

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Rikkitic

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#319259 7-Apr-2025 08:42

Can someone explain to me what the purpose is of those odd looking constructions on top of speedway cars? Is it a kind of spoiler? It looks pretty unaerodynamic to me but I assume it has a purpose.

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Senecio

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#3361506 7-Apr-2025 08:59

Its a form of Aero. Speedway cars spend 98% of the race sliding sideways. Its helps to keep them upright.

Rikkitic

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#3361604 7-Apr-2025 11:43

Thanks. Still looks weird to me.

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Handsomedan

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#3361607 7-Apr-2025 11:47

Speedway cars are some of the weirdest looking vehicles around...

The F1 cars of speedway' set to make dust fly in Canberra for the first time | Riotact

Speedway New Zealand - CHAMPIONSHIPS

Speedway's final roar for season - NZ Herald

Handsome Dan Has Spoken.
Handsome Dan needs to stop adding three dots to every sentence...

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Rikkitic

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#3361612 7-Apr-2025 12:01

They must have real problems when the wind blows!

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Bung

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#3361708 7-Apr-2025 13:47

They keep the sponsor's advertising out of the mud 😉

Oblivian

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#3361751 7-Apr-2025 15:18

Sprintcars = v8 and Sideways holding, so one normally bigger. While downforce included

Other's slow, but downforce because rear wheel driving on mud = no grip and bouncing. So you want the back end down as much as possible.

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shk292

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#3361756 7-Apr-2025 15:43

If you wanted to do this properly you'd have curved surfaces or aerofoils, not crude flat plates set at an angle. I don't suppose anyone who builds speedway cars has ever looked at a yacht sail or aeroplane wing though.

johno1234

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#3361771 7-Apr-2025 16:33

Rikkitic:

Can someone explain to me what the purpose is of those odd looking constructions on top of speedway cars? Is it a kind of spoiler? It looks pretty unaerodynamic to me but I assume it has a purpose.

Officially known as ARSE Hats (Automatic Reactive Stability Enhancement Hat).

Next time you see one at the speedway be sure to say "Nice ARSE Hat" to the driver.

tweake

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#3361780 7-Apr-2025 17:07

shk292:

If you wanted to do this properly you'd have curved surfaces or aerofoils, not crude flat plates set at an angle. I don't suppose anyone who builds speedway cars has ever looked at a yacht sail or aeroplane wing though.

there is a few who done so but i doubt it worth the cost. our short tracks limit the speed and i doubt spending the extra doesn't really gain anything at our slow speeds. its the side plates that will do the bulk of the work. its been a while but there will be rules on size shape etc anyway.

the other factor is it helps cushion the blow when they roll over and helps stop them tumbling so much.