Automotive Aerodynamics

Automotive aerodynamics is the study of the aerodynamics of road vehicles. Its main goals are reducing drag and wind noise, minimizing noise emission, and preventing undesired lift forces and other causes of aerodynamic instability at high speeds. Air is also considered a fluid in this case. For some classes of racing vehicles, it may also be important to produce downforce to improve traction and thus cornering abilities.

Research

Construction of the body

Construction of both tires

Additional parts for the car

The full assembly

Data for combo tires

Data for both front tires

Thumbnail Sketches

Source of reference

The Design

1st car design

Redesigned car

Post processing video and image

This is a slicer preview of my car which printed while I was in class.

This is the completed car after the print. I had to trim two axels to the right length so the tires don't wobble as much to save some time.

Race Day!

This is the takeoff of the first race. I finished with a time off 1.43 seconds. This race was the only one with a 12 gram CO2 canister the other two was 8 gram canisters. This was the fastest time for the first race.

This is the takeoff of race two. I finished with a time of 1.3 seconds. This was the fastest time for this race also.

This is the takeoff of race three. I finished with a time of 1.257 seconds. This was not the fastest time for this race, but one of the top ones.

This was my calculations for maximum velocity and average maximum velocity. My max velocities were 53.812 ft/s 66.667 ft/s and 68.298 ft/s. My average maximum velicity was 62.926 ft/s.