In the Era of GT Race Car Optimization, AMB Elevates Your Performance to the Top of the Grid
Engineering a race car requires countless compromises. A more powerful engine setting may come with more heat and less reliability. A stiffer spring rate to control body roll may reduce grip through a particularly bumpy part of the course. Similarly for aerodynamics, running a steeper rear wing angle would be expected to increase grip at the rear axle but decrease your top speed. There is no free pace to be found if these tweaks are the limit of a team’s vehicle development. No team can hope to achieve a perfect balance of these parameters without intricate information and nuanced application.
Equalizing the Field: Aero Gains in Spec and Open Racing
In the competitive world of racing, both spec and open classes present unique opportunities for aero advancements. In spec classes, where vehicles are closely matched in performance, even minor aero enhancements can lead to significant competitive edges. Our expertise in aero mapping and regulation optimization can unlock these subtle yet crucial gains. Conversely, in open regulation classes, our ground-up development of aero packages for GT cars allows for more radical innovations, pushing the boundaries of performance. Our track record with manufacturers has led to multiple GT championship victories globally, proving that strategic aero improvements are equally transformative in both racing domains.
AMB can provide GT race teams and privateers the performance edge in every situation through the development of track-optimized aero track-optimized aero within your class regulations.
A good aerodynamic package is having your cake and eating it too. You can achieve higher top speeds, more grip and greater drivability from your race car. All cars have an aerodynamic profile (as does any object moving through air) – they all generate lift, downforce and drag. The most desirable aerodynamic configuration will evolve drastically from track to track The winning edge in spec or homologated classis is high accuracy aerodynamic data in tandem with lap simulation to power the engineering decisions that can guide your team.
AMB also offers on-site aero training packages to help mechanic and engineering staff of racing teams better understand aerodynamics and implications from a competition perspective.
A winning track-record
One of the highlights of AMB’s experience in aerodynamics development for GT racing is the 2009 SuperGT overall driver’s championship title.
AMB takes advantage of CFD-based aerodynamics development for faster iteration and costs savings. Our approach transforms aero characterization from a static document into an interactive planning tool, ever increasing understanding and performance.
AMB Aero’s CFD Analysis of Honda HSV 010 featured in Japanese publication. Our methodology combines on-track testing with CFD and wind tunnel testing, detecting finer changes and accumulating small gains for significant differences.
Aero Mapping for Race Cars
1. What is it?
In simple terms, it’s a summary of the aerodynamic characteristics of a car, such as drag, lift or downforce, and balance, in relation to the car’s setup configuration across a range of ground speeds. Proper aero mapping reveals how changes in the car’s setup affect its aerodynamic behavior, and is indispensable for configuring a race car optimally for various tracks and weather conditions. AMB’s aero mapping goes beyond static documents, transforming into an interactive planning tool and a living document that refines aero data based on track results.
Today, the aero characterization knowledge stops being a static document with little background and depth. It transforms into an interactive planning tool and a library of tools in the engineer’s arsenal and a living document that as we learn more on track we learn more from simulation and aero data. We can continue to refine the aero data based on track results and we behave as an aero partner for the team moving forward. Ever increasing the understanding and thereby, performance.
2. Why do you need it?
Aero maps from the manufacturer, if even supplied, often lack context, detail or even aren’t very accurate. AMB’s approach to data quality and direct communication with engineers offers a competitive edge. We provide aero mapping services that define and understand the edges of the aero map, allowing for the exploitation of peaks in downforce or valleys in drag. We also review regulations to identify optional parts, explore customizations, and find loopholes that top teams exploit.
AMB’s combination of on-track testing with other methods, integration of lap simulation with aero mapping, and emphasis on accurate models and high-quality 3D scanning sets us apart in the field of aerodynamics development. Our real-world examples and case studies demonstrate our success in implementing these strategies.
Summary
What sets us apart from the competition is our ability to provide track-optimized aero within your class regulations. We can develop an aero map of existing race car designs or perform ground up development of aero packages for GT cars. Our experience in aerodynamics development for GT racing has led to successes like the SuperGT overall driver’s championship title. We take advantage of joint Wind tunnel and CFD-based aerodynamics development for faster iteration and cost savings, transforming aero characterization from a static document into an interactive planning tool.