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SAE TECHNICAL
PAPER SERIES 2006-01-0806

Aerodynamics for Formula SAE: Initial Design

and Performance Prediction
Scott Wordley and Jeff Saunders
Monash Wind Tunnel, Mechanical Engineering
Monash University

Reprinted From: Vehicle Aerodynamics 2006

(SP-1991)

2006 SAE World Congress

Detroit, Michigan
April 3-6, 2006

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2006-01-0806

Aerodynamics for Formula SAE: Initial Design and

Performance Prediction
Scott Wordley and Jeff Saunders
Monash Wind Tunnel, Mechanical Engineering
Monash University

Copyright © 2006 SAE International

ABSTRACT performance by penalizing competitors in other

areas. For instance a turbo charger can be used to
The initial design of an aerodynamics package for a increase engine power at the potential expense of
Formula SAE car is described. A review of Formula SAE fuel economy and cost scoring.
rules relating to aerodynamics is used to develop
realistic parameters for the specification of front and rear „ Poor information management and knowledge
inverted airfoils, or ‘wings’. This wing package is retention within teams due to a high turn-over of
designed to produce maximum downforce within the members can disrupt long term design and
stated acceptable limits of increased drag and reduced validation cycles, resulting in repeated mistakes and
top speed. The net effect of these wings on a Formula frequent returns to ‘square one’.
SAE car’s performance in the Dynamic Events is then
predicted. A companion paper [1] describes in detail, „ The majority of teams only compete in one
the CFD, wind tunnel and on-track testing and competition per year, meaning that the actual time
development of this aerodynamics package. spent driving and developing these cars is limited,
and of the order of weeks. A lack of regular
INTRODUCTION competitions and comparison with other teams
therefore limits the exposure to, and adoption of,
Formula SAE is a collegiate design competition where best practices.
groups of students design, build and race their own open
wheel race cars. Since its beginnings in the USA in 1981 „ The competition is still inherently focused on
[2], this formula has spread to Europe, Asia, South learning, and as such teams will pursue
America and Australasia, with several hundred technologies of interest to them as well as those
international teams racing every year in a number of seen to provide an overall performance advantage.
competitions held world-wide. Unlike a conventional
motorsport race, teams are awarded points for eight An analysis of past Formula SAE competition results [4]
different events, and the team with the highest shows that to date, the simplest approach is often the
cumulative total wins. There are three ‘static events’ most successful, with the vast majority of top ten
(Cost, Presentation, Design) where teams are judged on finishing teams running steel space frame cars with
their design justification, presentation and costing skills, naturally aspirated 600cc engines. While it is assumed
and five ‘dynamic events’ (Acceleration, Skid Pan, that this trend will continue for some time to come, four
Autocross, Fuel Economy, Endurance) which test the major shifts in design ethos have been seen in recent
performance of the car and student drivers on-track [3]. years.
This weighted points system dictates that success is a
matter of carefully balancing all aspects of the car The use of carbon fibre monocoque chassis is on the
design and development process. increase, as teams try to reduce their chassis weight
while maintaining or increasing torsional stiffness. Wide
FORMULA SAE: DESIGN CONVERGENCE? spread interest in turbo-charging has also resurfaced
following the continued success of Cornell and
Unlike other forms of racing with long term rule stability, Wollongong universities. A new generation of single-
Formula SAE has yet to converge upon a single, well cylinder motorbike engines is offering performance gains
defined, design paradigm. There are several theories as in the opposite direction, with teams like RMIT and Delft
to why this is: universities using their reduced weight and fuel usage to
offset their reduced power. Several teams, including the
„ Careful weighting of the rules serves to even out Universities of Texas at Arlington, Missouri-Rolla, Cal-
performance gains in one aspect of vehicle Poly and Monash have made use of wings and other
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aerodynamic devices to generate downforce with the cornering or straight-line acceleration and braking. As a
main aim of improving cornering speed. Some teams consequence, successful Formula SAE cars are usually
have employed more than one of these approaches. light and nimble with excellent cornering, acceleration
and braking. Popular wheelbase and track widths are
Of the major design shifts listed above, the performance small, around 1.6 m and 1.2 m respectively, with recent
of aerodynamic devices is probably the most difficult for trends seeing these numbers further declining.
student teams to predict and to quantify. As such,
considerable debate continues in the Formula SAE Available Power / Weight Ratio
community as to the benefit (or otherwise) of using
inverted aerofoils or ‘wings’ for this competition. Given engine (610 cc) and intake restrictions (20 mm
orifice), the popular 600cc naturally aspirated motorbike
The Monash University team (from Melbourne, Australia) engines produce around 50-60 kW, and turbo- or super-
has used aerodynamic devices on their Formula SAE charged engines up to 65 kW. Total car weights in the
cars for the past four years running. This team is also in region of 210 kg are frequently achieved using these
the somewhat unique position of having regular access engines. Given freedom of gearing and the low top
to a full-scale automotive wind tunnel for aerodynamic speeds imposed by the course, a light and powerful
testing. This paper, and a second by the same authors Formula SAE car can be traction limited in first and
[1], summarizes the four-year-long aerodynamic design second gears. Logged data from a variety of teams at
and development process undertaken by this team, and the 2004 Australian FSAE Endurance Event suggests
presents the first data available in the public domain for that a percentage-of-time-at-wide-open-throttle of less
the aerodynamic performance a Formula SAE car. It is than 15% is typical, at least for the Australian event.
hoped that the information and methodologies contained Anecdotal reports from US competitors suggest that they
herein will serves as both a guide and a benchmark for spend slightly longer at wide open throttle (during
other teams contemplating the use of aerodynamic Endurance), but still less than 20%. The fact that the
devices in Formula SAE. driver cannot demand full power from the engine for the
vast majority (>80%) of time spent on-track is evidence
FORMULA SAE RULE CONSIDERATIONS that Formula SAE cars are generally ‘traction limited’ as
opposed to ‘power limited’. This observation would
When compared with most other road racing categories, suggest that significant gains in lap time can be made
the current Formula SAE rules [2] offer some unique through either increasing the car’s traction, or by
challenges and opportunities for the use of aerodynamic decreasing engine power (and using more of it) if such a
devices. These rules will be briefly examined here, decrease comes with a large enough weight saving.
starting with those that influence general vehicle design
and performance, and moving onto those more relevant Specific Rules Relating to Aerodynamics
to the use of aerodynamic aides. The broad
repercussions of these rules on the design and To use some of the excess power available to most
performance of a Formula SAE car will also be Formula SAE cars to generate increased levels of grip
discussed where appropriate. via aerodynamic downforce requires consideration of the
rules relating to such devices.
Autocross / Endurance Track Design
Following Cornell’s use of a sucker fan in 1990 to set a
While the track layouts for the Skid Pan and record 1.32 g in Skin Pan [2], the use of powered ground
Acceleration events are of fixed geometry, the Autocross effects in Formula SAE was banned. A further rule
/ Endurance track designs are varied each year within change stated that only the car’s tires are allowed to
the parameters described by the rules and the individual touch the ground, effectively prohibiting the use of
constraints imposed by the different competition venues ‘sliding skirts’ to seal the underbody which limits the
world-wide. Due to the fact that these two events pressure differential achievable with traditional
account for half of the total points on offer in Formula underbody diffusers. In response to safety concerns, the
SAE, the design of these tracks have a major influence rules also state that any ‘wings’ and their mounts must
on the vehicle designs. Competitions run on open lots not interfere with driver egress. The location of
(for example, the US), therefore see more variation in aerodynamic ‘wings’ is also restricted to the vertical
track design compared to the British and Australian envelope defined by the rear of the rear tyres, the
competitions which utilise narrower, go-kart-like tracks. outside edge of the tires, and a line 460 mm forward of
Maximum ‘straight’ length is fixed by the rules at 77 m, the front of the front tires (See Fig 1). As there is no rule
while corner radii range between 9 m and 45 m. Slaloms regarding maximum wing size or plan area, it therefore
with a spacing of between 7.62 m and 15 m are also becomes limited by the chosen wheelbase and track
allowed. The target maximum speed (105 km/h) and width (and vice versa, potentially). These allowable
average speed (50 km/h) is also defined, with organizers package space rules only apply to ‘wings’, meaning that
tailoring the track to approximate these velocities. These diffusers and other aero devices could potentially be
constraints result in the specification of tracks where used outside this region, subject to the judgment of the
competitors generally spend a high proportion of time in scrutineers. In 2002, the Monash Formula SAE car was
transient cornering, and less time is steady-state
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permitted to run a diffuser which ended behind the rear controlled by the outboard assembly which should
of the rear tires. always be in contact with the ground.

If aerodynamics devices are used in Formula SAE, their

settings can be adjusted for the individual events, but
wholesale removal or addition of components is not
allowed. Some ability to tune the performance of an
aerodynamics package is therefore considered
advantageous, and might include a low drag setting for
Acceleration, a mid to high downforce setting for
Autocross and Endurance, and a maximum downforce
setting for Skid Pan and any wet weather racing.

DESIGNING FOR DOWNFORCE

A range of resources for the design of race car

aerodynamics have been identified below. Drawing from
these resources, an example is given for the process of
preliminary specification of a wing package for a
Formula SAE car. This package is designed for
maximum downforce within the stated acceptable limits
of increased drag and reduced top speed. As there is
Figure 1: Allowable packaging envelop for ‘wings’ in Formula SAE.
no established method for the theoretical prediction of
aerodynamic side forces and their associated yawing
moments, this aspect of the aerodynamic design will not
be considered at this stage. Further discussion and
experimental data relating to the measured side forces
As there is no stated or practical limitation on the vertical and yawing moments will be presented in the companion
height of the wing, this choice becomes a trade-off paper [1].
between minimization of centre of gravity height (through
low mounting) and maximization of downforce (by AERODYNAMIC DESIGN RESOURCES
locating the wing high, in clean airflow). The effect of a
given wing’s drag force component on the car’s There exists a considerable body of literature relating to
aerodynamic balance can also limit the realistic the design of aerodynamic devices such as wings, for
mounting height range. As there is no limitation on the generation of lift for airplanes and downforce in race
minimum wing ride height, a wing can be designed to cars. Monographs by Hucho [8], Katz [9] and McBeath
operate in optimal ground effect at the front of the car, [10] provide a good general introduction to vehicle and
thereby increasing its maximum coefficient of lift, and race car aerodynamics, while the works of Leibek [11],
improving its lift to drag ratio [5,6]. A large, single wing Selig [12], Razenbach and Barlow [13,14], Ross et al
could also be mounted high and centrally, in the style [15], Zerihan and Zhang [5,6] describe the optimisation
common to Sprint Cars and the A-Modified racing class, of airfoil performance in more detail. More specific
provided the driver’s egress is not adversely affected. examples of the use of aerodynamic downforce in racing
are provided by a wide range of authors [16-22].
The rules also dictate that all wing elements have a
leading edge radius of at least 12.7 mm (0.5”) and a PRELIMINARY CALCULATIONS
trailing edge radius of 3.0 mm (1/8”) for safety reasons.
Therefore considerable modification of readily available A few basic assumptions are made in the preliminary
wing profiles (like those listed in the UIUC on-line data calculations described below. Firstly, the use of both a
base [7]) is required for compliance with this ruling. An front and rear wing is assumed. A front wing (positioned
example of this process is described in [1]. forward of the wheels) has the potential to operate in
‘ground effect’, a phenomena which is beneficial to the
One important rule difference between Formula SAE production of downforce with minimal drag. This fact
and other formulas, is that movable aerodynamic usually makes the use of a front wing a sensible choice
surfaces are still permitted in this competition. This if given the option. If a front wing is used, a rear wing is
means that wings and other devices can be mounted also needed if aerodynamic balance is to be achieved.
‘unsprung’ so that downforce can be delivered directly to For simplicity, the use of diffusers and their consequent
the wheels rather than via the ‘sprung’ chassis. In this effect on the aero balance will be neglected, and the
way the mechanical grip of the car is not compromised bare vehicle’s aerodynamic centre of pressure will be
by the high spring rates required to prevent the chassis assumed at mid-wheelbase.
from ‘bottoming out’ under aero loading. This system
has the added advantage of allowing the front wing to The process of wing specification outlined below follows
track a near constant ground clearance because it is the process described by McBeath [10]. The first step
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involves determining the amount of brake engine power Formula SAE rules state that the rear wing must not
that can be sacrificed to the aerodynamic drag of a rear protrude behind the rear of the rear tyres, nor beyond
wing. This information is used to determine rear wing the rear outer track width. Practical considerations
plan area and CD, and from that an achievable CL can be usually limit the forward most point of the rear wing to
estimated. Balancing aerodynamic moments about the the main roll hoop structure unless the wing is to be
design Centre of Pressure yields the required resolved mounted above this point. For the 2003 Monash vehicle,
aerodynamic force vector for the front wing, which is this described a maximum allowable wing plan area of
then specified through an iteration of potential wing 2
1.4 m (span) by 0.65 m (chord), or 0.91 m . Solving for
profiles and plan areas.
C D yielded 1.5, which can be roughly related via
Calculating ‘Sacrificial’ Drag Brake Engine Power experimental data [7, 9, 10] to an expected wing
negative coefficient of lift ( − C L ) in the order of 3.0 to
Following the process outlined by McBeath [10], the 4.0. Wing profiles in this performance range are
vehicle’s theoretical top speed without aerodynamic classified as ‘high lift’ and rely on multi-element designs.
devices was first calculated using Eq(1), which has been
Given this plan area, a − C L of 3.5, and neglecting
modified for SI units, and using the values given below.
This equation assumes ideal gearing and that terminal potential low aspect ratio effects [10], a downforce of
velocity will coincide with the speed at which the car’s 240 N at 40 km/h is predicted for the rear wing.
maximum brake engine power (kW) is totally absorbed
by aerodynamic drag forces. Rolling resistance is Front Wing: Designing for Aerodynamic Balance
neglected. The frontal area (A) and coefficient of drag
( C D ) used below relate to the 2003 Monash Formula In specification of the front wing, the most important
design consideration was aerodynamic balance rather
SAE car with no wings, as tested in the Monash Full than outright maximum down force. This means that
Scale Automotive Tunnel. More details on this facility the net aerodynamic force created by both wings
and testing procedure are provided in [1]. (diffusers will be ignored for the moment) acts near the
car’s center of gravity. A slight rearward aero bias where
CD × A × v3 the centre of pressure is behind the centre of mass is
Brake kW absorbed = commonly used to ensure high speed stability.
1,633 Designing for a good aero balance will ensure that the
ACAR = 0.9m 2 vehicle exhibits neutral handling characteristics rather
than under-steer or over-steer as a result of unevenly
C D = 0.83 distributed aero loads. Balance is determined by the
kW = 45kW addition of the moments produced due to both down
force and drag force over their perpendicular cantilever
…Eq(1) lengths about the design centre of pressure [22], which
in this case, is taken as the ground position directly
−1 below the car’s center of gravity (mid-wheelbase). Wing
Rearranging and solving for v yields: v = 46.2 ms or positions were first estimated and cantilever lengths
166.2 km h determined by measuring the perpendicular distance
from the balance point to the estimated centre of
This velocity is well above the top speed seen in pressure for each wing. For a Formula SAE car with a
Formula SAE, so assuming a new ‘drag restricted’ top wheelbase of 1650 mm, a 50:50 weight distribution, and
speed of 120 km/h it is possible to determine the brake the wing positioning shown in Figure 2 below, balancing
horse power that can theoretically be sacrificed. moments and solving for the required front wing down
Recalculation of the power figure for 120 km/h showed force (its drag is neglected) gives a value of 165 N at 40
that only 17 kW is needed to overcome the base car’s km/h.
aerodynamic drag, meaning that the remaining 28 kW
can be made available for the drag of additional wings.

Determination of the Rear Wing CL and Area

Research reported by McBeath [10] suggests that the

drag of open wheel, single-seater cars is only
significantly affected by the rear wing, with the front wing
contributing little extra drag even at large angles of
attack. Wind tunnel testing by these authors on the
2003 Monash FSAE car has confirmed the validity of this
assumption. Therefore Eq(1) was used again with the
figures of 28 kW and 120 km/h to determine an
allowable C D . ARW of the rear wing of 1.38.
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AERODYNAMIC VALIDATION

The analysis presented above is one process by which

an aerodynamics package can be specified for a race
car. There is however, no guarantee that the wings will
perform as intended within the near flow field of the race
car. It is generally safe to assume that their
performance will be adversely affected due to their
interaction with the vehicle, and even each other. For
this reason a wide range of wind tunnel testing and on-
track aerodynamic testing was used in the development
and tuning of this aerodynamics package, and is
described in detail in the companion paper [1].

Moment Balance about Mid-Wheelbase This work showed the measured downforce values to be
significantly lower (by around 35%) than those estimated
from free-stream, empirical data. Fortunately, the loss of
Figure 2: Balancing aerodynamic moments about the CG position as a downforce was reasonably even on both ends of the car,
means of specifying the required front wing performance. with the front down by 39% and the rear down by 33%
on the initial predicted values, meaning that the final
aerodynamic balance was still close to neutral. These
final measured aerodynamic coefficients are listed in the
table below and will be used in the following
An iterative process was then used to select a front wing performance analysis.
profile to produce the required 165 N at 40 km/h within
the maximum plan area as defined by the rules and PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS
package constraints. The research of Zhang and
Zerihan [5,6] which examines the performance of both In order to determine if the particular aerodynamic
single elements and dual element wings in ground effect package described would be beneficial for use in
provides a good estimation of the lift and drag Formula SAE an overall performance analysis of the
coefficients achievable. Depending on the particular car event was conducted, taking into consideration each
and installation, consideration should also be given to aspect of the competition. A brief analysis of the four
the effects of the car’s nose cone [9] and close wheel Dynamic Events (Skid Pad, Acceleration,
proximity [21]. Assuming that the front wing operates in Autocross/Endurance) will be described here.
clean flow, a negative lift coefficient of 3.4 is required. If
the assumption of an ideal flow field is removed, a front For the purpose of these performance calculations, the
wing lift coefficient in excess of 4.0, or the generation of values listed below will be used. It should be noted that
more front wing area is a more realistic requirement for all these values have been measured experimentally,
aerodynamic balance. This also implies that the and relate to the addition of wings to the 2003 Monash
maximum amount of balanced aerodynamic downforce car.
that a Formula SAE car can generate using traditional
low mount front, and high mount rear wings will be Global Parameters
limited by the front wing, given a 50:50 weight
distribution. • Tire Coefficient of Friction 1.6

If these values of front and rear downforce can be • Engine Power and Torque vs RPM See Apdx 1
achieved, a total download of 405 N at 40 km/h is
generated. Having verified through wind tunnel testing • Gearbox Ratios See Apdx 1
that the wing-less 2003 Monash Formula SAE car
generates only a minor (and thus negligible) amount of
• Final Drive Ratio: 3.6
lift, this additional downforce would result in an overall
vehicle coefficient of lift of -4.0, given the total vehicle
2
frontal area (with wings) of 1.35 m . It was on this basis Car and Driver (No Wings)
that the aerodynamics package for the 2003 car was
specified and constructed. • Weight: (Car: 225 kg, Driver 80 kg) 305 kg

Details of the actual wing profiles are provided in [1]. • Center of Gravity Height: 270 mm

2
• Polar Moment of Inertia (Yaw): 106 kg .m
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• Car Coefficient of Lift: 0.0

• Car Coefficient of Drag: 0.83

2
• Frontal Area: 0.9 m

Car and Driver (with the Wings described)

• Weight: (Wings and Mounts: +12kg) 317 kg

• Center of Gravity Height: 300 mm

2
• Polar Moment of Inertia (Yaw): 118 kg .m

• Car Coefficient of Lift*: 2.57

• Car Coefficient of Drag*: 1.33

• Car Coefficient of Lift* (for Low Drag) 0.44 Figure 3: Predicted maximum longitudinal acceleration envelope
(shaded grey), with and without wings:
• Car Coefficient of Drag* (for Low Drag) 0.73

2
• Frontal Area (For both settings*): 1.35 m

* Note: The frontal area of car is reduced in the low drag The crosshatched grey shading below 20 km/h indicates
setting but for convenience the same area has been the likely clutch slippage region, which results in higher
used, resulting in a low CD and CL but correct CD.A and engine speeds and power outputs meaning acceleration
CL.A values. is actually limited by the traction curves. Immediately
above this speed, the winged car is able to accelerate
ACCELERATION EVENT ANALYSIS slightly faster than the same car without wings, mainly
due to the increasing aerodynamic download. At 50
The Acceleration Event is a timed, 75 meter acceleration km/h the maximum acceleration potential of the two cars
from a standing start. To begin with, it is useful to make is the same, and for speeds above this, both cars
an estimate of the maximum acceleration performance become power limited. As the winged car is generating
of the winged car, in its full downforce configuration, more than twice the aerodynamic drag of the non-
versus the same car with no wings. winged car, its maximum acceleration decreases more
quickly with increasing road speed. While the last point
A modified ‘bicycle’ model [22] can be developed for is somewhat obvious, the fact that the winged car should
predicting acceleration in a straight line using the two accelerate faster below 50 km/h is an interesting
sets of vehicle parameters described previously. This observation, particularly considering that the corner exit
model accounts for the effects of longitudinal weight speeds for other events like the Autocross and
transfer as well as aerodynamic drag and downforce. Endurance (where such a wing setting would be used)
Rotational inertial has been neglected but is assumed are typically in the 30 to 60 km/h range.
the same for both vehicles. Two maximum potential
acceleration curves are generated for each car Using this model, the predicted elapsed times for the
configuration. The first curve is based on the Acceleration runs (0-75m) were
acceleration power available (brake horse power,
gearing and aero drag) and second on available grip • Winged Car 3.89 sec
(tire friction coefficient and total reaction force as a
function of weight transfer and aero download). These • Non-Winged Car 3.70 sec
curves are shown below (Fig. 3), with the lower curve for
each car configuration indicating the maximum potential These numbers are low, as they neglect the effects of
acceleration. rotational inertia and assume zero shift times and perfect
traction, but provide an indication of the performance
difference a high downforce wing setting can make. Ping
[23] provides a more detailed analysis of the effect of the
number of shifts, shifting times and final drive ratio on
the acceleration of a Formula SAE car.
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If the same wing package is adjusted for the measured It is thought that the time of 4.93 seconds predicted for
low drag (and low downforce) setting quoted in the the wing car is slightly optimistic, given:
vehicle parameters, the predicted time difference for the
acceleration event is narrowed considerably. • The slight reduction of aerodynamic downforce
measured at high yaw angles such as these [1]
• Low Drag Setting, Wing Car 3.80 sec and;

At the low drag setting, the CD.A value of the winged car • The effect of the disproportionately high levels
is only 32 % greater than the value of the wing-less car, of unsprung weight transfer expected at the
compared to 140 % greater in the high downforce rear of the car, due to the high mounted,
setting. Further analysis shows that predicted time unsprung rear wing.
difference (0.10 sec) between the low drag winged car
and the wingless car is due, in roughly equal parts, to Such effects have been quantified but are not taken into
the wing drag and the weight of the wings themselves. account in this simplified model. More complex
calculations considering these factors have shown that
SKID PAN EVENT ANALYSIS skid pan performance of the car with and without wings
is close to equal.
The Skid Pan event involves the car driving laps around
a circular track, 15.25 m in diameter. It can be assumed AUTOCROSS / ENDURANCE EVENT ANALYSIS
that the car’s centre of gravity tracks a radius of 8.5 m.
The course is arranged in a ‘figure-8’ with the cars The Autocross Event is a single timed lap of a course
entering from the centre and completing 2 consecutive roughly 800 m long, featuring a variety of straights, turns
laps on each side of the ‘figure-8’. Only the second lap and slaloms within the parameters described by the
on each side is timed, as a test of the vehicle’s rules. The Endurance Event uses a similar course, and
maximum steady state cornering speed. To evaluate the two drivers are required to complete a number of laps
effect of wings on skid pan performance, a graph of totaling 22 km, with a driver change in the middle. The
maximum velocity versus corner radius can be Fuel Economy event, which is judged on the basis of the
generated using the parameters previously described fuel used in the Endurance Event, will not be considered
(Fig. 4). here.

A comprehensive lap-time simulation of the

Autocross/Endurance track(s) is required for a thorough
analysis of the effect of adding wings to a Formula SAE
car, but will not be attempted here. Instead, using the
vehicle parameters which have been defined, the
cornering and braking performance of the car will be
examined. The analysis already presented for the
longitudinal acceleration of the car can be considered
valid, in unmodified form, for the straight-line
acceleration portions of the Endurance and Autocross
events. Given all of these performance predictions, and
with knowledge of past track designs, the net effect of
adding the wings described, to the 2003 Monash
Formula SAE car, will be gauged.

Figure 5 below shows another graph of maximum

Figure 4: Predicted maximum velocity versus corner radius, for the velocity versus corner radius (like Fig 4), but in an
Monash FSAE car, with and without wings. Skid Pan radius of 8.5m expanded domain which encompasses the corner radii
indicated. allowed within the Autocross / Endurance rules.

This analysis predicts maximum corner speeds of 37

km/h for the non-winged car and 39 km/h for the winged
car, corresponding to Skidpan times of:

• Winged Car 4.93 sec

• Non-Winged Car 5.20 sec

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For best performance through the ‘slaloms’ frequently

used in Autocross and Endurance tracks, a Formula
SAE car needs to be capable of high yaw acceleration
rates. The addition of wings is both beneficial and
detrimental in this respect, depending on the given road
speed. At low speeds, the increased polar moment of
inertia due the addition of wings will result in lower yaw
accelerations compared to the base car. However,
above a critical road speed, the increased grip due to
the download will result in higher potential yaw
acceleration rates for the winged car. If sufficient
downforce can be generated for a reasonably small
increase in polar moment of inertia, then this critical
speed can be lowered. If it can be made lower than the
base car’s speed through the slaloms, then the winged
car will be faster through this section of track, even
before its increased cornering potential is considered. A
Figure 5: Predicted maximum velocity versus corner radius, for the graph showing relative maximum yaw acceleration
Monash FSAE Car, with and without wings. Grey shaded region potential for the Monash FSAE car with and without
indicates increased cornering speed due to the addition of wings.
wings is given below (Fig. 6).

These results can also be normalized by the maximum

cornering velocity of the wing-less car to give an
indication of the difference in relative cornering potential
(Fig 6).

Figure 6: Predicted relative yaw acceleration potential versus velocity,

for Monash FSAE car, with and without wings.

From Figure 6, at a road speed of 32 km/h the maximum

yaw acceleration of the both cars will be equal. Logged
Figure 6: Predicted relative cornering potential versus velocity, for track data shows that the wing-less Monash FSAE car
Monash FSAE car, with and without wings. can traverse the minimum allowed slalom spacing (7.62
m) at a road speed of 30 km/h, and the maximum
allowed slalom spacing (15 m) at 57 km/h. From this we
can predict that the winged car should be faster through
any sized slalom, given that it possesses an equal or
The graph of relative cornering potential shows that higher yaw acceleration potential and significantly higher
between 30 and 80 km/h (the range of corner speeds cornering potential at these speeds.
measured on track, Australian competition 2004), the
winged car provides at least 8% and as much as 30% Finally, in terms of braking, it can be shown using that
more cornering potential. The logged track data for the wing package described is always advantageous
previous endurance events shows that corner speeds of compared to the base car. The wings obviously
50 km/h and below are more common than those above. contribute a small amount of weight (12 kg) to the total
This implies that average gains in cornering speeds of mass of the vehicle (317 kg) but this is more than
between 10% and 15% are realistic depending on the compensated for by the increased reaction force and
track design. drag forces that they provide. This is illustrated by
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considering the traction limited curves plotted in Figure Also, thanks to the many FSAE.com forum contributors,
3, where the winged car has access to around 50% whose questions, comments and constructive criticisms
more reaction force at a speed of 100 km/h. have provoked the writing of these papers.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS The authors would like to also thank the substantial and
ongoing support of the Department of Mechanical
In summary, with respect to the various Dynamic Engineering, Monash University.
Events, it has been shown theoretically (using measured
values), that the addition of wings to the 2003 Monash
FSAE car should result in:
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3554, 2004

CONTACT

Scott Wordley:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www-personal.monash.edu.au/~fsae/

APPENDIX 1: