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Brabham Fan car BT46B was Designed by Gordon Murray for the 1978 season, in an effort to keep up with Lotus. It was the ‘B’ spec that was famously known as the fan car. This was Brabham's answer to the dominating ground effect Lotus 79. Powered by an Alfa Romeo Flat 12, this engine design actually became its Achilles heel because it was low and wide, therefore preventing the space required to create a venturi tunnel underneath. This giant fan, powered by the Flat twelve, claimed it was there to aid cooling, though it was actually creating a huge amount of downforce by forcefully drawing air out from underneath the car. Drivers had to re-learn how to get the most out of this car. By fitting a Pitot at the front, and an altimeter in the cockpit, the driver could get on the power if the altimeter was in the green, if it was red it was likely an aero skirt had failed as a loss of aero pressure resulted. Because of the extra downforce produced, Nikki Lauda commented that it actually became very unpleasant to drive due to the increase in lateral G forces that were created. The fact Bernie was the Chief executive of the Formula 1 Constructors association at the time created a very controversial dynamic as he was a team owner also. It was never officially declared illegal, but it showed Bernie's vision for a bigger future. He withdrew it after one race in effort to help maintain his relationships between the other team's owners. submitted by /u/Motorworx_ |
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