11 definitions by airrider
A piece of automotive bodywork that is meant to deliver downforce by channeling air under the car, especially under the midsection and rear, so that it creates a low-pressure system under the car which sucks the vehicle to the ground. This increases traction and stability at high speeds.
These are especially prevalent on high-performance sports cars, supercars and most racing cars when putting spoilers that create similar downforce would just cause too much drag.
These are especially prevalent on high-performance sports cars, supercars and most racing cars when putting spoilers that create similar downforce would just cause too much drag.
If you don't see a big tailwing on the back of a modern supercar, look at the tail for a diffuser.
The double-deck diffusers used by a few teams caused a scandal in Formula One over the 2009 season.
The double-deck diffusers used by a few teams caused a scandal in Formula One over the 2009 season.
by airrider October 11, 2009
A slang term used to refer to anyone who has ever had to eject from an aircraft, in combat or otherwise. The name comes largely from two facts: Martin-Baker is one of the oldest and most well-known ejection seat manufacturers, and almost any pilot is thankful for that ejection seat when they have to bail out.
by airrider October 11, 2009
An aerial stunt in which an airplane tries to fly as close to a control tower as fast as the pilot can come without collision.
Obviously only acceptable if staged because it is so dangerous.
Obviously only acceptable if staged because it is so dangerous.
I'm pretty sure you could get in real trouble with the FAA for buzzing the tower without permission.
by airrider October 9, 2009
An auto racing term borrowed from air combat terminology, used to describe a battle between two or more drivers that involves a lot of overtaking and changing of position.
by airrider October 11, 2009
A derisive term for warning lights in a car dashboard or any similar arrangement in a vehicle's cockpit. So called because they light up when the operator is being an idiot and letting something go wrong.
by airrider October 11, 2009
A defensive driving maneuver, also used as a stunt and in extreme situations where a 180-degree turn is required in very little space. Performed by driving forward, then suddenly steering left or right, rotating the car 180 degrees, then driving off in the opposite direction.
The move originated in the Prohibition era, when bootleggers would modified automobiles and created extreme driving maneuvers in an effort to outrun police.
Not to be confused with the J-turn.
The move originated in the Prohibition era, when bootleggers would modified automobiles and created extreme driving maneuvers in an effort to outrun police.
Not to be confused with the J-turn.
Anyone transporting a VIP through dangerous territory should know how to bootleg turn: you never know when you'll be ambushed!
by airrider October 11, 2009
A car door whose hinge is near the rear of the car rather than near the front of the car. So called because it tends to fly open if caught by the wind (especially in the case of poor panel fit or an open-top car that does not channel air efficiently) rather than shutting right away, causing the car to become unbalanced at speed and leading to numerous other possibly fatal results, such as the car being thrown to one side and crashing or an occupant thrown out of the car.
by airrider October 11, 2009