Whether you’re a seasoned track rat or preparing to test your skills for the first time, there’s an unmistakable appeal to maximizing downforce with rear wings. After all, more downforce means more grip in corners and faster lap times, right? It’s not quite that simple. Veteran drivers know that more isn’t always better. Before modifying your Toyota GR86 or C8 Corvette Stingray, take a moment to learn why.
Understanding The Power Tax
Verus Engineering designs components using advanced CFD software to minimize drag and improve performance.
Downforce in cars always comes with a tradeoff, as that extra grip you enjoy also creates drag. You can think of this as a power tax, and you’ll feel it most on straights. The incredible corner grip you experience might not be worth the resulting speed reduction on the front straight. However, that depends on what you’re trying to accomplish, the type of car you drive, and where you’re driving, which brings us to the next point.
What Are Your Goals?
The new GR86 high-efficiency rear wing from Verus can help maximize straight-line speed and lower lap times.
Are you new to track driving and concerned about how you’ll perform in the corners? While you don’t want to maximize downforce, a rear-biased setup can provide the extra grip and stability you need to build confidence. It’s also a safer option for beginners. On the other hand, if you’re a veteran driver concerned mainly with lowering lap times, you may want to avoid the power tax and maximize straight speeds with a more balanced setup.
Let’s use the GR86 as an example. We recently overhauled the rear wing offerings for the 86 platform, upgrading the mounting system and introducing two new wings to go with the bottom-mount UCW option. You can now choose a swan-neck UCW and a high-efficiency wing. While the swan neck UCW provides the most rear downforce, and might be a good choice in a rear-biased setup for beginners, the smaller, high-efficiency option generates less drag, resulting in increased straight-line speed and lower lap times.
What Car And Where You Drive Make a Big Difference
The V1X rear wing on this BMW M4 can make a big difference in corners and overall performance.
But what if you’re not driving a GR86? Maybe you have a more powerful car, such as a Toyota Supra or BMW M4. If you have horsepower to spare, shaving time in the corners with more downforce might be worth the straight-line penalty.
Where you drive is also a critical consideration. Are you on a tight, technical track with short straights and constant direction changes? In this case, the cornering benefits from a high-downforce rear wing may outweigh the drag penalty.
Where You Buy Aero Mods Is Essential
When you purchase a rear wing from Verus as part of a complete aerodynamic kit, you’re getting a component that is expertly balanced with our front splitter. As a result, you enjoy predictable performance and a superior driving experience. We design aero mods through advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to minimize drag and optimize downforce. All parts go through an iterative design process and are validated on track.
Reach Your Goals With Rear Wings From Verus
Whether you’re trying to build confidence, lower lap times, or simply want the most enjoyment out of your drive, Verus has the right aerodynamics for you. While we can provide massive amounts of rear wing downforce with options like our V1X swan neck wing, we stress the importance of a balanced setup and matching aero mods to your goals, your car’s power, and where you drive.
Is More Downforce Always Better? What To Consider When Adding Rear Wings