Search Results

A modern benchmark for passenger cars - DrivAer model - has provided significant contributions to aerodynamics-related topics in automotive engineering, where three categories of passenger cars have been successfully represented. However, a reference model for high-performance car configurations has not been considered appropriately yet. Technical knowledge in motorsport is also restricted due to competitiveness in performance, reputation and commercial gains. The consequence is a shortage of open-access material to be used as technical references for either motorsport community or academic research purposes. In this paper, a parametric assessment of race car aerodynamic devices are presented into four groups of studies. These are: (i) forebody strakes (dive planes), (ii) front bumper splitter, (iii) rear-end spoiler, and (iv) underbody diffuser.

In this project an attempt has been made to evaluate the use of a narrow-width moving ground facility for wind tunnel testing of racing cars. The investigation concerned boundary layer measurements above a full-width moving belt in order to identify its side-edge effects. Boundary layer measurements were also taken above a narrow belt, while suction was applied along its side-edges. After the boundary layer development was identified for both belt configurations, the effects of the reduced belt width on the aerodynamic forces generated on a 50% scale Formula-1 model were determined. The side-edge effects investigation confirmed a strong interaction between the side-belt edges and the fixed ground, resulting in a boundary layer development above the belt with a significant size that becomes considerably larger towards its trailing edge.