Basic Course in Race Car Technology (PDF)

This textbook clearly conveys the basic principles of vehicle dynamics that are required for the development and optimization of racing vehicles. The focus is on the interaction of tyres, aerodynamics, chassis, differential locks and the vehicle structure. The performance-determining properties of various components, such as the wing profiles, the underbody, the suspension, the steering or braking system, are described in detail. A historical review, an overview of the key data of the technical regulations, an explanation of various structural designs, and a discussion of the safety aspects of motorsport create an understanding of higher-level requirements for the design of racing vehicles. The basic knowledge acquired with this work provides an entry point for engineers and engineering students who are involved in motorsport - as designers, data analysts or race engineers - or who want to deepen their knowledge in the field of vehicle dynamics and chassis development.

Thecontent

History of motorsport.- Technical regulations.- Racing tyres.- Fundamentals of driving dynamics.- Aerodynamics.- Chassis.- Differential locks.- Concept and structure.- Safety in motorsport.- Examples and solutions.

The target groups

- Engineering students

- Formula Student Team Members

- Motorsport journalists

- Motorsport enthusiasts with technical background knowledge

The author

Dr.-Ing. Lars Frömmig has been involved in the driving dynamics and chassis tuning of production passenger cars for more than fifteen years. As a development engineer at Volkswagen AG, he was initially responsible in various roles for the tuning of controlled front axle differential locks and electromechanical steering systems as well as for the driving dynamics of controlled all-wheel drive systems. Today he is responsible for vehicle dynamics andtyre development at the chassis development department of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. As an honorary lecturer, he gives the lecture "Racing Vehicles" at the Institute of Automotive Engineering at the Technical University of Braunschweig.