A Structured Approach to Tire Selection in Formula SAE: Balancing Performance and Requirements

2025-36-0171

12/18/2025

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Abstract
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Tires are fundamental components of Formula SAE race cars, serving as the only point of contact between the vehicle and the track. Their performance directly influences critical aspects such as handling, stability, cornering behavior and lap times, making tire selection a vital factor in vehicle dynamics. However, choosing the optimal tire is a complex challenge due to the wide range of available options and the need to balance multiple performance parameters. While many studies analyze tire behavior, few focus specifically on the demands of Formula SAE vehicles. Those that do often rely on overly complex methodologies or subjective assumptions, resulting in a lack of practical and systematic approaches to decision-making. This study addresses this gap by developing a structured approach for tire selection, designed to meet the specific needs of Formula SAE teams. The proposed approach analyzes a typical Formula SAE endurance track, acceleration, skid pad, and autocross circuit to determine the most critical performance characteristics for an FSAE car. By identifying and ranking these key attributes, the study establishes a direct link between vehicle performance demands and the tire properties that influence them. This allows for a systematic evaluation of tire options, ranking them based on their effectiveness in meeting the identified performance priorities. Data from the Tire Test Consortium (TTC) and the vehicle’s MoTeC system provided the data for the simulations. MATLAB was then used to process and visualize the data, which, alongside vehicle dynamics theory, form the basis of this research. By minimizing reliance on subjective assessments and providing a clear, rational framework for tire selection, this study enables Formula SAE teams to make more informed decisions, ensuring that tire choices align with their performance objectives and competitive demands
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Pages
11
Citation
Rocha Checheliski, Carolina Dias da, Mario Eduardo Santos Martins, and Roberto Begnis Hausen, "A Structured Approach to Tire Selection in Formula SAE: Balancing Performance and Requirements," SAE Technical Paper 2025-36-0171, 2025-, .
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Publisher
Published
Dec 18
Product Code
2025-36-0171
Content Type
Technical Paper
Language
English