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Lap time simulator (LTS) is a simulation tool used by racing teams to estimate lap time for a given vehicle setup, such as in Formula 1, Indy and Le Mans. This work employs a Formula SAE (FSAE) oriented LTS called OptimumLap, which uses a quasi-steady state method, to simulate prototype cars from Centro Universitário FEI. A MATLAB code has been created to simulate acceleration race and compare this result to OptimumLap. The latter has also been used to simulate skid pad and autocross events. RS8 simulation results have been compared to Michigan 2014 FSAE competition elapsed times for model validation. After validation of RS8 model, the new prototype RS9 was simulated in order to predict its performance; finally the results and the behavior of these two vehicles were compared.

Currently, large companies as well as universities have increased the studies into vehicular dynamic behavior, mainly in order to improve driver and passenger safety. Simulations with complete model vehicle have been used for these studies. The tire is one of the most important vehicular component as the only connection with the ground and responsible for transmitting all vertical, longitudinal and lateral forces, consequenetly it is the main component on the model vehicle, being crucial for the correlation between computer simulations results and field tests, This paper presents a methodology, development and construction of a device to obtain lateral forces in any combination of toe and camber angles for different conditions of normal load, the tests can be performed on any type of ground, whether dry or wet. The tire datas used as reference were obtained through an experimental test using “Flat Trac” equipment.