Race Car Aerodynamics Designing for Speed by Joseph Katz [B] BentleyPublishersee er erty abies din of Reb ery, mecaouseiemenane —— tedlenat BentieyPubishere WARNING—Important Safety Notice {Information in this book represents a general summary of aerodynamic engineering principles involved in race car design and construction. Some of those design practices may be dangerous unless undertaken and implemented by experioncad persons who are trained in vehicle engineering, design, and constrnes tion, The author and publisher have endeavored to ensure the accuracy of this book. However all infor- ‘mation should be read withthe potential risks of racing and vebicle modification sn mind, Racing and vehicle design and construction are risky undertakings—both for yourself and for others. Do not race or practice rae driving except ona designated racetrack. No book can teach all aspects of racing and vehicle design and construction, There is no substitute for appropriate engineering credentials and fexperionce, FOR THESE REASONS, THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER MAKE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ‘THAT THE INFORMATION IN TIS ROOK 1S FREE OF ERKOR, OR THAT IF WILL MEET THE REQUIRE. MENTS FOR ANY PARTICULAR APPLICATION. THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM THE [IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND OF FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EVEN 1 THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND EVEN IF & PAITICULAR PURPOSE IS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK. THE AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER ALSO DISCLAIM ALL. LIABILITY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM. ANY USE OF TIE EXAMPLES, INSTRUCTIONS, O OTHER INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK. Copies ofthis book may be purchased from selected bookseller, or directly from the publisher by mail. The pub- lisher encourages comments from the reader of this book. These communications have been ard will be consis «red in the preparation of this and other manuals. Pleage write to Bentley Publishers at the adress listed on ‘tho top of this page Since this page cannot legibly acommodate all the copyright notices, the caption credits isting the soureo ofthe photographs or illastrations used constitutes an extension ofthe copyright page, Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Katz, Joseph, 1947— ‘Racecar aerodynamics designing for speed / by Joseph Kstz pom. Inclutles index. ISBN 0-83760142-8: $3195 1. Automobiles, racing-Aerodynamics. 2. Automobiles, Racing- Design and consteiction. Title, TL25KS8 1995, 629.228--de20 95-31326 ‘cp Bentley Stock No. GAER 05040302 109876 ‘The paper used in this publication is acid {roo and meets the requirements ofthe National Standard for Infor- ‘ation Sciences-Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials @ Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed, by Joseph Katz Ph.D ‘©Copyright 1995 Joseph Katz All rights reserved. All information contained inthis book is based on the information available to the publisher at the time of editorial closing. The right is reserved to make changes at any time without notice, Ne pit of ten plication may be reproduced, stored in a retrioval system, or transmitted in any form or by aay meas, le onic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, o otherwise, without the prior written eonsen of the publishes ‘This includes text, figures, and ables, Allights reserved under Berne and Pan American Copyright cote, ‘The author would lke to acknowledge the graphics assistance ofthe SDSU Media Technology Services, ‘Manufactured in the United States of America Front cover: Photo courtasy of F+W, Swiss Federal Aireraft Factory Back cover: (Photos, from the top) 1992/1909 MeLaren MP4/7A Formula One ear, courtesy TAG/McLaren; Nissan prototype race car wind tunnel test, courtesy of MIRA; Toyota Celica 1904 Pike's Peal Hill Clanb ane ner, courtesy of Rupert Berrington; Ilustration of the Chaparral 2 "fan car” by Brian Hatton |Race Car Aerodynamics Designing for Speed How aerodynamies shapes race cars, see Chapter 1. ization, see Chapter 8 Air flow through underbody channels on an ‘pen-wheel race ea, see Chapter 6 Significant developments in raceear aero- ‘dynamics, see Chapter 7. 4 CONTENTS Preface vi Overview: Aerodynamics and Race Cars. . ‘The Impact of Aerodynamics on Vehicle Shape Aerodynamic Downforce and Performance Greating and Measuring Aerodynamic Forces How Aerodynamics Shapes Race Cars 10 ‘The Impact of Racing Aerodynamics on Production Cars 15 ‘The Following Chapters 2 Aerodynamic Forces and Terms eagpe 4) Basic Terminology 23 ‘The Boundary Layer 30 Bernoulli's Equation 34 Flow Over Bodies and the Pressure Coefficient 40 Drag, Lift, and Side Force 45 Relevant Literature 52 References 38 Tools of the Trade . . 22 55 Road Testing 56 Wind Tunnel Methods 64 Computational Methods 89 References 7 Airfoils and Wings . ee 9) Airfoils: Basie Definitions 99 Finite Wings 15, Basic Lifting Surface Interactions 136 Examples of Various Airfoil Shapes 139 References 145 Aerodynamics and Vehicle Performance. .. Tire Performance Vehicle Dynamics ‘The Effect of Aerodynamics on Performance References Aerodynamics of the Complete Vehicle . Basic Vehicle Body Concepts Aerodynamics of the Complete Vehicle Flow Over Wheels Sliding Seals and Skirts Underbody Channels (Venturi) 203, Simple Add-ons: Spoilers, Strakes, and Wickers 208 Internal Flow 214 Race Car Wings 224 References 241 Real-world Examples... woe 243, Milestones: Historieally Important Designs 243 ‘More Current Examples 252 References 262 Appendix 1: Drag Coefficients 263 ‘Appendix 2: Wind Tunnels 265 Index 267 ‘About the Author