Computer-Aided Racing Car Design and Development at the University of Brescia, Italy

The time of the “magic touch” approach to race car design is nearly over, and modern engineering techniques are more and more employed in high-level racing. Finite Element Analysis, Computational Fluid Dynamics, Vehicle Dynamics are some of the computer-aided methods which are being successfully applied to improve engine performance, aerodynamics, structural effectiveness and driveability.

People at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Brescia have been working on chassis and suspension modeling in co-operation with racing and sports car makers and leading-edge teams since 1989. Current research partners are the FIAT Research Centre (CRF), Dallara Racing Cars, the Scuderia Italia Touring Car Team, and others.