Competition Car Aerodynamics: A Practical Handbook [Hardcover]

Simon McBeath (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 2006

Aerodynamics is a science in itself, and is one of the most important factors in modern competition car design. This new book, a successor to "Competition Car Downforce", covers all aspects of aerodynamics, including both downforce and drag. This complex subject is explained in down-to-earth terms, with the aid of numerous illustrations, including color CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) diagrams to demonstrate how aerodynamic devices work. Aimed primarily at amateur and semi-professional designers and drivers, as well as students, this fascinating book will also appeal to armchair enthusiasts wishing to gain a better understanding of the subject.  Presented with a DVD providing examples of the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), produced in association with Advantage CFD – owned by and aerodynamic consultants.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

Vintage Oval Racing, September 2006

“We might as well say it up front, every racer – vintage or contemporary – will benefit from reading this book for performance and safety.

 

“It is a very useful handbook for all racers and requires careful reading and thought, but not a technical degree.”

Victory Lane Magazine, July 2006

“Every racer – vintage or contemporary – will benefit from reading this book for the performance and safety.”

Book Description

Aerodynamics is a science in itself, and is one of the most important factors in modern competition car design. This new book, a successor to "Competition Car Downforce", covers all aspects of aerodynamics, including both downforce and drag. This complex subject is explained in down-to-earth terms, with the aid of numerous illustrations, including color CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) diagrams to demonstrate how aerodynamic devices work. Aimed primarily at amateur and semi-professional designers and drivers, as well as students, this fascinating book will also appeal to armchair enthusiasts wishing to gain a better understanding of the subject.  Presented with a DVD providing examples of the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), produced in association with Advantage CFD – owned by and aerodynamic consultants.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Haynes Publishing; 1st edition (May 31, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844252302
• ISBN-13: 978-1844252305
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific introduction for the racer who doesn't have a PhD, July 24, 2006

By 

J. Olsen (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Competition Car Aerodynamics: A Practical Handbook (Hardcover)

This book is very specific in its approach. It goes over the broad theory of aerodynamics as it applies to racing, and then explains each component of a contemporary race car, covering the front end (airdams, splitters and spoilers), the back end (wings), the underside (underbody aerodynamics), and other miscellaneous aero aids. In each chapter, he walks through a host of different tests to show not just which configurations are going to work best, but also why they are going to work best.

For drivers of open wheeled or production-based race cars, this is a great handbook to use in formulating your approach to the often misunderstood world of aero.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent overview and introduction, March 4, 2008

By 

Mike Garrison (Covington, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Competition Car Aerodynamics: A Practical Handbook (Hardcover)

Jack Olsen and Joćo Carlos Matoso are both correct: this book has some excellent information aimed at the person who does not have any specialized knowledge of aerodynamics. I'm a track car driver and aeronautical engineer, and I found the book to be a little too simplified for my background. But I've recommended it to a lot of non-aerodynamicists as an introductory work, and they have all loved it.

If you are a racing fan who wants to understand the aero packages, or if you are a racer or track driver who wants to know which aero options will be appropriate for your needs, this is a great place to start educating yourself. Even if you are an airplane engineer (like me), this does give you some insight into the differences between car and airplane aerodynamics. But if you are looking for a technical discussion on boundary layer models and doing CFD gridding, this isn't the book you are looking for.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good introduction to car aerodynamics, November 3, 2006

By 

R. Grothe - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Competition Car Aerodynamics: A Practical Handbook (Hardcover)

The book was well written in a very British style. It covers most aerodynamic devices on modern competition cars and gives a few examples focusing on a Nascar study and a Formula-1 BAR Honda study. I would have liked to have seen more original work from the author to specifically and graphically detail each component that goes into the aerodynamics of a competition car instead of just reproducing other studies. However, as an introduction to the field of aerodynamics of cars this book is easy to understand and fairly informative.