Modification of airflow around a FSAE Race car using sidepods to increase the downforce on the car

Abstract

Aerodynamics pertaining to vehicles focuses on improving the drive-ability of the vehicle while also reducing
losses due to air drag. This paper focuses on maximizing the cornering performance of the formula student race car with
slight modifications to the airflow around the vehicle and meagre addition of weight. The undertray produces downloads
by altering the velocity of air flowing underneath it. The sidepods act to reduce flow velocity above the undertray, thus
increasing the pressure above it. This leads to an increased pressure difference over the surface of the undertray which
translates to increase in downforce. The car is able to have a 10% decrease in lap times on a 500m racetrack.