Well it's definitely different Sparky. Reminiscent of the Curtis Flying Boat of the 1920's.
What was the reason behind the design?
Sid.
I'll take some of the heat on this. Ruth and I were on our way home from Fl via CA and staying at Sparky's a year ago (2012) when at the time there was some hope to get to the salt that year. The problem was how to come up with a canopy in short order that might work, at least for a while. I kind of designed it with the thought the front is teardrop shaped, rounded, and the idea was to send the air down the sides of the car from the front of it. I did a rough hammer form of the top and we put it on and I said don't be affraid to use some bondo
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As PP says 'it isn't how you go into the air it is .....".
The pictures make it look much higher than it is. Here is a picture that better showes its height....
.. If I remember right it is about 5-6 inches. Of course they have done a lot more with it since I was involved.
I think the plan is to run with it and make a decision after the car runs and also when there is more time to make something more traditional but still feel it isn't a bad design from the aero perspective. With the front not being laid back the vision is not distorted like on some so you have a good view down track.
I feel it is hard sometimes to realize just how much time goes into these cars. You can see a complete car with a slick body/canopy and just kind of think it happens somehow. Summit Racing doesn't carry this stuff
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Sum