Tyre Tuning and Selection | Formula SAE [TECH TALK]

How do you select a tyre for a vehicle that does drag, endurance, autocross racing and more?

Jared from the University of Canterbury Motorsports Formula SAE team runs us through some of the performance and vehicle considerations that go into tyre selection for both their internal combustion engine and electric powered single-seater race cars which are built to compete in numerous disciplines for Formula SAE competitions.

How a torque vectoring system impacts performance both for lap times and driver input along with the use of only the 15kW capable regenerative braking during endurance competitions in relation to the UC teams Formula SAE Electric chassis are also discussed along with how the car setup focus is a balance of time vs efficiency.

The use of predictive tyre models and data validation from sensors like linear potentiometers are touched on as well as expectations vs reality when it comes to validating data from software like Adams Car, MATLAB and Simulink.

With resources on tap that even some high tiered professional race teams do not have access to the testing that goes into both the EV and ICE FSAE race programs is quite remarkable and certainly something anyone with a slight interest in motorsports should get involved with while studying where possible.

What is Formula SAE? Also known as FSAE or Formula Student, it is a University level student design competition that is run and governed by SAE International (aka Society of Automotive Engineers International). The concept is to develop a small Formula (single-seat open-wheel car) race car which is then evaluated by a number of different static and dynamic considerations and events.

0:00​ - Intro
0:12​ - What does the Tyre Need To Be Good At?
0:55​ - How Does Performance Impact Selection?
1:50​ - Car Design and Tyre Choice
2:33​ - Tyre Data and Testing
3:17​ - What Information is in a Tyre Model/Simulation?
4:08​ - Hans Pacejka Magic Formula
4:37​ - Data Validation
5:24​ - Validation Expectation vs Reality
5:59​ - Tyre Pressures
7:37​ - Hot and Cold Tyre Pressures vs Event
8:17​ - Toe vs Tyre Temperatures
8:52​ - Torque Vectoring System - Drivers Perspective
10:28​ - Torque Vectoring vs Overall Performance
10:52​ - Endurance Racing an EV
11:36​ - Regenerative Braking Effectiveness
12:01​ - EV Endurance: Time vs Efficiency
12:52​ - Learn More

Want to learn more about motorsports specific setups? Come along to the next free live lesson to dive into the world of wheel alignments.