New Directions in Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed

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Item # BEN-01428  ISBN: 0837601428




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New Directions in Race Car Aerodynamics is the first book to summarize the secrets of the rapidly developing field of high-speed vehicle design. Over the past 15 years, author Joseph Katz has been involved with aerodynamic development in the most competitive areas of motorsport today.

From Formula One, to Indy Car, Drag and Sedan Racing, this book provides clear explanations for both engineers who want to improve their design skills, and enthusiasts who want to understand how their favorite cars go fast.

Katz explains:

• How aerodynamics win races
• Why downforce is more important than streamlining and drag reduction
• Designing wings and venturis—what works and what doesn't
• Wind tunnel designs, methods and results—what you can and cannot believe
• Full definitions of terms, with equations and examples provided for determining key aerodynamic parameters like drag, lift and side-force coefficients, fluid viscosity, or wind-tunnel corrections
• Numerous examples using specific race cars, passenger-based prototypes, and open-wheel designs

Table of Contents

Preface

1: Aerodynamics and Race Cars
The impact of serodynamics on vehicle shape | Aerodynamic downforce and performance | Creating and measuring aerodynamic forces | How aerodynamics shapes race cars | The impact of racing aerodynamics on production cars | The following chapters

2: Aerodynamic Forces and Terms
Basic terminology | The boundary layer | Bernoulli's equation for pressure | Flow over bodies and the pressure coefficient | Drag, lift, and side force | Some relevant literature | References

3: Tools of the Trade
Road testing | Wind tunnel methods | Computational methods | References

4: Airfoils and Wings
Airfoils: Basic definitions | Finite wings | Basic lifting surface interactions | Examples of various airfoil shapes | References

5: Aerodynamics and Vehicle Performance
Tire performance | Vehicle dynamics | Effect of aerodynamics on performance | Race car safety and aerodynamics | References

6: Aerodynamics of the Complete Vehicle
Basic vehicle body concepts | Aerodynamics of the complete vehicle | Flow over wheels | Sliding seals and skirts | Underbody channels (venturis) | Simple add-ons: Spoilers, strakes, and wickers | Vortex generators | Louvers | Internal flow | Race car wings | References

7: Real-World Examples
Milestones: Historically important designs | More current examples | References

Appendixes
1: Drag Coefficients | Wind tunnels | Index | About the Author

"This book brings together a wealth of information. It accurately and clearly explains what things work, as well as why they work. This book will become one of the classics in race car design."
—Albert George, John F. Carr Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University.

"The book combines clear explanations, illustrations and photos to help the enthusiast understand a complex subject, with invaluable reference material—including equations—for the professional race car engineer."
—Lee Dykstra, Racing Engineering Consultant and Designer.

New Directions in Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed