Talk About Air Flow!

By "Berserko" Bob Doerrer
Photo by Norman Blake

Tim Grose was ahead of his time with this unique rear spoiler. Photo by Norman Blake

With all the talk lately about rear wings on the current crop of nitro funny cars, I thought this photo of Tim Grose's experiment at the 1986 Summernationals would be apropos.

Unsponsored, except for a little help from Mike Curb, former Lt. Gov. of California and now owner of Curb Records, Tim decided to try to stir up the air going over the rear wing by installing 30 vortex generators. 

Looking now at the rear spoilers of team Shumacher and John Force's teams, one wonders if Tim was ahead of his time.

Ah for the good old days before rules stifled innovation...

Berserko Bob
berserkobob@earthlink.net