Wax and Racing: A theory

[Roscoe]

Wax may be the racers friend after all. In his exhaustive book “Wax: Theory and Race Applications”, (published in 1954 by MortaTuttaCuanda Books, Milano, Italia, author and noted race car driver Fortuna Bonanova stated:

Utilizing a good coat of wax on a race care contributes to a significant reduction in friction. This allows for faster times and higher kph.

Bonanova created the equation from the principle for KPH = speed minus drag coefficient minus weight divided by wax layer thickness, ie: kph= s-dc-wt/w. He came upon this theory quite serendipitously while eating a bowl of Linguine and White Clam Sauce. Bonanova observed that, although the sauce appeared to have a bit too much oil, it made it easier to swallow. Bonanova simply applied the same principle to race cars. Bonanova was hailed at the time by Enzo Ferrari who, when finished reading Bonanova’s theory, was overheard saying “Atsa my boy!”


Roscoe