How Do Roof Flaps Work

The roof flap may not be a large piece of equipment on cars but they are important to keeping all for tires firmly on the track.

How do roof flaps work. Open valleys have metal flashing to protect this critical area of the roof. The decision to implement a safety device to keep cars on the ground came after two crashes in 1993. A race car s body is designed to optimize downforce but if that body is spun so air is flowing in reverse lift is generated instead of countered. As shown at left the roof flaps are flaps of metal that are normally flush with the roof.

The roof flap may not be a large piece of equipment on cars but they are important to keeping all for tires firmly on the track. The roof flaps job is to disrupt that airflow and prevent lift. While some skylight manufacturers include flashing in their products sometimes roofing professionals have to create it or purchase it separately.