The right way to proceed is to gather as much information as you can, then test in a controlled environment, like a track. The benefit of passing safety inspections is just what the reasonably intelligent guy would do, He would practice due diligence in designing and safety testing. He'd exercise caution during experimentation. He'd gradually test at lower speed, for only a lap or two, then pull into the pits and make sure everything is still tight and snug, with no visible signs of failure, or bending, or attachment points pulling through. If the technical safety inspection guys say, no way, then it's no way. Nobody is in favor of seeing somebody get hurt.
Shake downs and testing should be done at the track. I think road courses are preferred for this, since there's room for running off the track in case of catastrophic failure, and very little opportunity to go at maximum speed (for very long, anyway). Only after more testing, and more knowledge and experience are gained, should attempts at open highway events be considered.
There's an Open Highway Event at Big Bend, Texas, in April, just prior to the 2005 PCNC Vegas Track Event. There's also the Silver State Open Highway Event in Nevada every year. So there's an opportunity to go as fast as you can, in a safety controlled, sanctioned, lawful way. And always let your instincts guide you. If you feel fear or loss of traction and sense the car is floating, then slow her down! That's your survival instinct talking to you, and it is warning you to slow down and inspect the set-up again. Listen and obey the survival instinct calling to you from your stomach.
It's probably only very experienced, safety oriented enthusiasts who do these open highway, top speed events, so I'm not too concerned about them not doing proper research and development for underbody ground effects. They are saavy and in the loop. I may just go and watch one of these events before proceeding any further. I'd like to ask questions about this topic, to get more information, and hook up with them to develop this idea further. Maybe they can point me to research that's already been performed, that would be cool.
I worry that somebody doesn't do it with much attention to safety and does their experimenting on open highways somewhere. That would not only be dangerous to themselves and others, but seriously unlawful, and there's many ways to pay too steep a price for a little fun and excitement.
Some potential pitfalls in the quest for downforce include the ground effects tray being too efficient and pulling through the bolt holes and flying loose. There's another possibility that the overly efficient ground effects generate too much downforce and break a suspension member. There's a possibilty the wind catches it and tears it partially loose at high speed, creating just the opposite reaction: the front of the car goes air-borne and the car flips over backwards at speed. You may have seen hydrofoil Formula One boats do that (flip over backwards) when they catch a small rogue wave at high speed. 150 to 200 mph is the equivalent of a violent hurricane or tornado.
But, if the technology is properly developed, tested, and installed, it actually will make the Pantera stop in shorter distances from very high speeds and be more controllable as well. So, the opposite edge of the sword from danger is safety. These beasts of machines can be made more controllable and driven with a greater margin of safety, at closer to their full potential. That's what we all want.
The development and application of technology is what truly fascinates me, and it's great to see you guys are intereseted in this stuff also. Let's just do it right, so the benefits accrue without the risks turning fatal. OK? Thanks.
'Professor' VFI wonders if his on-line class is even reading his lectures, but there'll be a test in the end. I don't want any of you failing the test, OK? No fatalities! These topics are meant to inspire, not promote dangerous behavior. Are you thinking about it yet? I'm sure you are, but a little more in a controlled way than you were before. Good.