Design of a Single Seater Racing Car Suspension System

This paper describes the integration of a selection of techniques which can be used to design complex mechanical systems such as racing car suspensions. It covers aspects of their dynamic and static design with particular reference to system analysis, the theory of which is described within. Furthermore, the designs are evaluated using sophisticated data logging and kinematics and compliance rig tests to assess the manufactured design's performance. The optimisation of racetrack behaviour is then described using vehicle dynamics simulation to predict how performance improvements can be achieved quickly. The examples given relate to on going work on the University of Leeds Formula SAE Racing Car.