We are looking to drastically alter the aerodynamic profile of this early 2000s BMW for use on a race track. As it is a large, unassuming, luxury sedan, its factory aerodynamics are not catered to a racing environment. To address this and be competitive with a real-world racecar, we will take inspiration from modern F1 car design, sport road cars, and manufacturer racecars. We will use wheel covers, an aggressive rear wing molded into the bodywork of the rear quarter panels, and a vacuum-generating ground effects kit, all to improve aerodynamics for racing use. We will quantify our modifications through various CFD simulations. We will model and test aerodynamic modifications in a 3D environment. After ‘installing’ each modification onto the model, we will test the compounding effects and improvements in CFD. We will record the drag coefficient and lift ( -lift, downforce) generated by each modification. Once we have reached our final optimized model, we will compare our results to the stock-bodied model. After the conclusion of the school term, we will work to create and install these design enhancements on a real-world, full-scale, competing racecar.

Jackson’s Interest:

My interest in this project is deeply rooted in my extensive experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) from my thesis work and co-op job, where I developed a strong foundation in fluid mechanics and aerodynamic analysis. This project aligns perfectly with my passion for applying CFD to real-world problems, particularly in optimizing the aerodynamics of race cars. I am fascinated by the challenge of balancing drag reduction and downforce enhancement to improve both speed and handling. Additionally, I am driven by a commitment to environmental sustainability; by mastering vehicle aerodynamics, I aim to contribute to reducing emissions through improved efficiency. This project presents an exciting opportunity to merge my technical expertise with my desire to make a meaningful impact in the field of race car aerodynamics and environmental conservation.

Brian’s Interest

My interest in this project stems from my interest in racing and fabrication. I have been racing for 5 years and have gone through many revisions in my racecar. Taking fluid mechanics has inspired me to understand how airflow works and use that knowledge to improve my race car. I was always fascinated by aerodynamics, but I never knew the math or science behind it. This course gave me the knowledge and opportunity to design an aero kit for my specific race car and backup my findings with numbers.

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Click here to view Brian's personal essay.

Click here to view Jackson's personal essay.