Design optimization of front and rear aerodynamic wings of a high performance race car with modified airfoil structure

Abstract

Formula Student Racing competitions are international events organized by Society of Automotive Engineers globally at various Formula SAE Circuits. Teams comprising of college students worldwide thrive to build a Formula style race car to compete at these events. In this high octane racing event every team tries to have an inch over their opponents by reducing lap timings. The best way for minimal lap timings is better performance along the straights and a good cornering. It becomes difficult for cars to get good traction when traveling at high speeds as well as they need to reduce their speeds drastically to take sharp corners. To maximize the performance of team NITK Racing car for such events an aerodynamic wings package at the front and the rear is proposed which produces sufficient downforce when accelerating in the straights as well as allowing sharp corners at relatively higher speeds. Being a student based competition intense amount of care is given to the safety precautions. Cars having sharp corners and protrusions are liable to be disqualified and hence the wing tip needs to be modified in order to satisfy the safety rules of the competition. � 2015 IEEE.