racecar engineering
 

I'm really interesting in the engineering and tuning aspects of modern day racecars and was wondering if anyone knew of any good websites or books that I could check out in order to learn more about what kind of tricks they are using these days (and in the past) on racecars with engines all of shapes and sizes! My goal is to learn just about everything there is to know about how to design/build racecars (mostly tech info on the design of the suspension and engine). Also, I'm sure theres more I could know about just street-going highperformance sports cars, any good websites/books I could check out on that topic too?

TIA

Tom

Lot of info in the Suspension and Handling Links sticky at the top of the Suspension section.

motorbooks.com has just about all the books you'll need. The Carroll Smith series is priceless. And for up to date tech Racecar Engineering (of all things!) Magazine is a sometimes over-your-head tech heavy treat.

Hear hear!
It's a UK publication, but I haven't come across anything that's close to it.  It's heavily F1 referenced, but if you're into that it's all good. :)

The other option is to join SAE http://www.sae.org/ and peruse their documentaion and publications.
h

-Ted

Carroll Smith stuff is rudimentary, you should hear how the intelligent Le Mans drivers cut his articles/books up.

His books are 20 years old. Much changes in that time. The fundamentals are still there and are useful though.

Find a reputable engineering college, join their Formula SAE club/team. I joined the FSAE club at my school, and am learning a lot about fabrication, when I've got more classes under my belt I'll look more into the design part of things. It's great, we've got a huge machine shop to work in and everything, lots of hands-on experience for pretty cheap.

-scott-

Here http://www.mulsannescorner.com one of the best sites around :cool:

"Race Car Vehicle Dynamics" by Milliken/Milliken.
Racecar Engineering is a great magazine. The high detailed photos are like porn for nerdy engineers. :)
Make that 2 vote for Formula SAE. Hands on training like you wouldn't believe.

check out Race car Engineering magazine its really good and technical u can ususally find it at barnes and noble

cool, thanks a lot guys!

I checked out the Racecar engineering magazine webpage... a subsciption is somewhere upwards of $100!! I guess I'll just buy it at B&N whenever I can afford too :P

go to school and get an engineering degree and take classes that specialize more towards the automotive end of engineering. tons to learn and it's not going to be easy.

Looks like someone beat me to reccommending mulsannescorner.com. I also like racecar engineering magazine, if you can find a place where it's sold.

Third vote for SAE. I'm in it at PSU our teacher is a former Le Mans driver.

- Steiner

What kind of degrees are related to suspension/racecar engineering? Mechanical Engineering?

anybody know where I could find out which colleges offer the SAE program?

You want to join a "Formula SAE" team, more info here: http://www.sae.org/students/formula.htm

Formula SAE is very, very cool. It is a great experience for the participants, and it is also a whole lot of fun for anyone with an interest in the design and engineering sides of motorsports to go and see what the schools have cooked up. Racecar Engineering magazine has covered Formula SAE in the past.

Mechanical Engineering seems like the most appropriate area of study if you are looking for a major. There are spots for EEs and even business weenies on the teams, though, I think. :)

-Max

awesome, thanks a lot!

yup, VT FSAE here

Carroll Smith books...
 

bump

Carroll Smith books...
 

Carroll Smith was a race car engineer and mechanic, something most drivers are NOT.

My former boss, the late, great Al Holbert was a damn good engineer and driver; a rare breed.

Re: Carroll Smith books...
 

Good call.