Aerodynamic Features of Race Cars

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
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Engineering Explained: 10
Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars
There are three main reasons for improving aerodynamics on race cars from a
performance standpoint: cooling, downforce, and minimizing drag. Here are 10
different aerodynamic features starting with the front of the car and working back
73
By Engineering Explained, 04 February 2015
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1. Splitter
A leading edge on the front of the car, relatively parallel to the ground, which attempts
to keep high pressure air on top of the car, rather than flowing underneath it. The high
pressure pushes down on the splitter, also helping to create downforce.
2. Dive Planes
http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]
These fixtures are typically located on the right and left sides of the front bumper (see
below), and are curved to redirect airflow at the front of the vehicle upward, thus
creating downforce. Theyre also used to alter the airflow along the sides of the vehicle,
attempting to minimise the amount of high pressure air that enters underneath the car
(which would create lift/minimise downforce).
3. Hood Vents
Ventilated hoods allow for a clean exit for the air passing through the radiator, and they
also help to maintain airflow through the engine bay, increasing cooling.
4. NACA Ducts
These air scoops are designed to have minimal impact on airflow, while still creating an
inlet for airflow. They can be used in nearly any application that requires airflow,
whether thats feeding an air intake, a radiator, or even cooling for a driver. The Ferrari
F40 made extensive use of NACA ducts.
5. Side Vents
Side vents can be seen behind the front (or rear) wheels, allowing for airflow to exit the
wheel wells which typically remains turbulent from the rotation of the wheels. These
can also be used to channel hot air out from the engine bay.
6. Side Skirt
Side skirts are somewhat similar in principle to splitters. They are in place, and typically
as low as possible, in order to prevent high pressure air from moving underneath the
vehicle.
7. Underbelly
For racing, these are often smooth and flat to minimise drag and reduce turbulence
underneath the vehicle. In combination with the diffuser, the lower pressure air under
the vehicle can create significant downforce.
8. Diffuser
A diffuser is a portion of the underbody which is shaped to create a location of
increasingly larger air volume below the rear of the car. This allows for fast-moving low
pressure air underneath the car to decelerate and expand at the rear of the vehicle.
The diffuser helps to accelerate the air underneath the car which reduces its pressure,
thus improving downforce. It can also help redirect the airflow upward, further
improving downforce.
Heres a quick video on how diffusers work:
Diffuser - Explained
9. Spoiler
Not to be confused with a rear wing, spoilers on race cars are used to prevent lift by
placing an obstruction in the path of lift-creating airflow. This causes the path of the air
to change, so that the airflow at the rear of the vehicle leaves in a horizontal or upward
manner, thus not producing lift. A similar feature can be seen when youre on a
passenger plane thats landing. Flaps on the wings (spoilers) will lift, minimising lift and
creating drag, both of which assist in slowing the plane down.
Heres a video explaining spoilers and rear wings:
Spoilers and Rear Wings - Explained
10. Rear Wing

For automotive use, wings (much like on planes) are airfoils, however they are
designed to directly deflect airflow upwards, pushing down on the vehicle. Airflow
interacting with the wing is forced up, so the vehicle is forced down. However, the
benefit of downforce comes at the expense of additional drag.
Heres a video exploring these features further on the Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3.
Race Car Aerodynamics - Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3
Click Here For More Articles From Engineering Explained

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ScourgePrime
More educational than what I learned in school anyway

361
Reply
yesterda
y
Engineering Explained
ScourgePrime
Class is important. Do your math homework. (English bit is optional).

47
13 hours ago (edited)
ScourgePrime
Reply
lol
0
Sonprime
12 hours ago
Reply
ScourgePrime
i no ryte?
6
Reply
19 hours ago
THEMUDBONEMONSTER
Sonprime
Topher Ski
Why didnt you explain how my JDM sticker adds 5 HP!?!?

156
Reply
yesterda
y
Morgan Brittain
Topher Ski
Japanese Domestic Models > J-D-M > 1-2-3 > Triangles > Illuminati = Power
> +5 HP > #engineeringexplained
45
Reply
Morgan Brittain
It all makes sense now.

7
Reply
Topher Ski
America + Freedom + Justice = 3 words.

9
Gerke van Keimpema
Reply
Half Life 3 confirmed

18
12 hours ago
Oscar Ljungberg
Reply
Gerke van Keimpema
but wait
what if Half Life 3 is actually kill?
(aand i failed big time)

0
4 hours ago
Reply
elwahche
too much aerodynamics kill the dynamics

59
Reply
yesterday
(edited)
Fbio mineiro
elwahche
I own a Megane coupe and I find this offensive.

-1
14 hours ago
Reply
Jamie Cannon
Race cars are pretty much just giant, metal airbenders.
49
yesterda
Reply
Jamie Cannon
Jamie Cannon
#sorrynotsorry #nophotoshopnoproblem
22
Mario Juarez
Melons
Reply
Jamie Cannon
Jamie Cannon
Ali Mahfooz
I actually thought rear wing and spoiler meant the same thing.
Should point out that youve missed out a few like vortex generating side canards,
streamlined side mirrors, double bubble roofs, channeling ducts on the underside. Maybe
you could add these in the second part of it.
48
Reply
yesterda
y
Doppelkupplung
Ali Mahfooz
Notice the title says, 10 Aerodynamic It doesnt say, All Aerodynamic

7
Reply
17 hours ago
Carson Bowles
Ali Mahfooz
Double bubble roofs are there so the car can be shorter (lighter), with a roof to low for
a driver to fit, so the bubbles are there so the drivers head isnt pressed against the
roof
6
yesterda
Reply
Ali Mahfooz
Dive planes typically shoot for vortex generators, hence the bit about keeping high
pressurefrom under the car.
1
13 hours ago
Reply
Samantha Barnsworth
Rear Wing info is misleading. You completely ignored pressure differentials.
While many wings are angled leading-edge-down for the additional benefit of deflecting air
upwards, an airfoil perfectly level to the ground will still generate downforce due to the
Bernoulli Principle.
19
yesterda
Reply
Samantha Barnsworth
Ultimately, a wing must direct the air downwards or upwards for a net effect. Heres a
great, simple video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjruwfiUtGY
-2
Reply
Cpt. Rizza
What about the bits at the sides of spoilers and rear wings? What are those for?
11
24 hours ago
Jonathan Shontz
Reply
Cpt. Rizza
Those keep the air at the edge of the wing from spilling over and therefore increase
the effectiveness of the wing. You can find them on some planes too.
21
Reply
24 hours ago
Sebastian Penagos
Jonathan Shontz
The ones on the planes are there to prevent wing tip vortices, which is turbulence
to other aircraft, specially smaller ones.
1
Reply
17 hours ago
Sebastian Penagos
Sebastian Penagos
Useful indeed.
0
13 hours ago
Hunter NZ
Reply
Sebastian Penagos
Their primary purpose is to prevent induced drag which is the penalty paid for
producing lift.
0
15 hours ago
Jonathan Shontz
Reply
Sebastian Penagos
Yes and those vortices are caused by air moving from the high pressure zone
under the wing to the low pressure zone above the wing. That hurts the lift
efficiency while creating the vortices.
0
Cpt. Rizza
16 hours ago
Reply
Jonathan Shontz
I see. Thanks
0
2 hours ago
Reply
Morgan Brittain
Cpt. Rizza
Saw this on the Ferrari website
12
17 hours ago
Cpt. Rizza
Reply
Morgan Brittain
Cool! Thanks
0
2 hours ago
Reply
Tyler Hoffarth
I can only imagine how some people are going to translate this to their vehicles. Use the
knowledge wisely! Theres a purpose to these things not just to look fast
Reply
21 hours ago
German Fomin
He didnt cover any active aero, which is a bit disappointing.

6
yesterda
Reply
German Fomin
Ive always been a bit disappointing.

8
Reply
Melons
Hmm, Gurney Flaps? Brake ducts types? Vortex generators? I guess there are more that
you didnt cover.
And another thing; the side vents in my WRX arent functional The vents at the side of the
front bumper are not fully functional (They let warm air out but not cold air in?) Is there
any way to tell what the engineers wanted besides styling cues?
6
yesterda
Reply
Tekknoraver
Melons
You sir just answered for your question

They let warm air
So if you noticed it,that
what their job is,Cold air inlet to engine bay are usualy at front,bonnet of the car.
5
yesterda
Reply
Melons
Tekknoraver
I already have a hood scoop for functional air cooling, its the same hood scoop
EE has on his own car for the same reason.
Im looking to design a brake duct/vent if possible But without taking away from
the existing engine cooling vents Like everyone should
-1
23 hours ago
Pooft Lee
Reply
Melons
Get to chopping lol

1
20 hours ago
Reply
Dovydas Treinys
Could you do a video on explaining ground effect and how vaccume cars like Brabham
BT46 and Chaperel 2J create downforce?
4
yesterda
Reply
Toby Travalos
Dovydas Treinys
The fans force the air under the car to go a lot faster and with a lot less resistance
which makes the air pressure under the car even lower. This means theres less
resistance to the down force pushing the car down meaning you get more down force.
1
21 hours ago
Morgan Brittain
Reply
Toby Travalos
Also, with the downforce created by the fans, the Brabham and Chaparral didnt
need to have rear wings (but the Brabham still did), this decreased drag and
made the car faster.
1
17 hours ago
Reply
au6155
Arent flaps on a plane increasing both drag and lift (during landing/take off)? Thus, the
plane can land at lower speed? Btw, please correct me if somehow Im wrong ;)
4
yesterda
Reply
Rui Granito
au6155
You are right sir! Flaps (bottom rear portion of the wings) are used to increase drag
and lift both in take-offs and landings.

The spoilers however (top rear portion of the wings) are used to do something with the
air flow and pressure, I dont know quite to explain, thus reducing aerodynamics and
therefore increasing drag, causing the plane to slow down and/or lose altitude, in
approaches and landings.
4
24 hours ago
Hunter NZ
Reply
Rui Granito
The spoilers on top of the wings deploy to collapse the life envelope and provide
additional drag. Fun fact: Airliners use the spoilers to control the aircraft in roll
during high speed flight.
0
15 hours ago
Doppelkupplung
Reply
Rui Granito
Spoilers spoil the air thus reducing lift AND increasing drag. Airbrakes on planes
increase drag but do not change lift.
0
17 hours ago
Rui Granito
Reply
Doppelkupplung
Spoilers do reduce lift in aircraft if you have spoilers armed and move from
side to side, the plane doesnt rotate by an axis in the middle he plane, but
rather from an axis at the end of the other wing. Is not that significant
though..
0
8 hours ago
Reply
Daniel Barnett
Please remember that different types of aerodynamic parts are found on different types of
cars. For example, typically a time-attack car will have a LOT of extra wings and dive
planes etc, to increase downforce at lower speeds and while cornering. Dragsters and
funny cars however have none of this, but they are still extremely aerodynamic and
slippery, just in a straight line and at extremely high speed.
Know the differences people!
2
Reply
Michael Kocher
isnt #2 called canards?

2
Reply
yesterda
y
Moose
Michael Kocher
Either is correct. Canards is the common term that was derived from aeronautics, and
dive plane is more the technical term for them. I still call them Canards cause its a
fun word to say.
5
Reply
Guss De Bld
Moose
Fun fact: Canard is just a duck in french XD

6
22 hours ago
Melons
Reply
Guss De Bld
I always called them duck planes or canards with the richest French accent
as a kid. You just reminded me why
0
17 hours ago
Reply
Oscar Ljungberg
hmmm what if you remove all these aerodynamic stuff and instead place two strong fans
underneath your car.
the propellerlike fans will suck your car down onto the track, therefore increasing
downforce.
:D genius anybody?
0
4 hours ago
DiscardedPostIt
Reply
Oscar Ljungberg
F1 did it in the 70sthough not sure if you already knew that or not
0
4 hours ago
Reply
Oscar Ljungberg
DiscardedPostIt
they did?
oh :(
gives back the noble prize trophy
0
1 hour ago
Florent Dezettre
Reply
DiscardedPostIt
And Chaparral did some awesome works on aerodynamics. Im thinking about the
2J by talking about fans under the cars (@Oscar), just like many other people I
guess. ;)
3 hours ago
Reply
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Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

By Engineering Explained, 04 February 2015

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

10. Rear Wing

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

Click Here For More Articles From Engineering Explained

More educational than what I learned in school anyway

Class is important. Do your math homework. (English bit is optional).

13 hours ago (edited)

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

Why didnt you explain how my JDM sticker adds 5 HP!?!?

17 hours ago (edited)

It all makes sense now.

13 hours ago (edited)

America + Freedom + Justice = 3 words.

13 hours ago (edited)

Gerke van Keimpema

Half Life 3 confirmed

Gerke van Keimpema

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

(aand i failed big time)

too much aerodynamics kill the dynamics

I own a Megane coupe and I find this offensive.

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

22 hours ago (edited)

Notice the title says, 10 Aerodynamic It doesnt say, All Aerodynamic

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

13 hours ago (edited)

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

Saw this on the Ferrari website

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

He didnt cover any active aero, which is a bit disappointing.

Ive always been a bit disappointing.

13 hours ago (edited)

You sir just answered for your question

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

Get to chopping lol

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

and lift both in take-offs and landings.

20 hours ago (edited)

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars

isnt #2 called canards?

24 hours ago (edited)

Fun fact: Canard is just a duck in french XD

http://www.carthrottle.com/post/engineering-explained-10-aerodynamic-features-of-race-cars/[05-02-2015 11.37.28 PM]

Engineering Explained: 10 Aerodynamic Features Of Race Cars