Study of an Open-Wheel Racing-Car's Rear-Wing Aerodynamics

The effect of a race-car's rear-wing shape on its high-lift aerodynamic characteristics was investigated numerically and experimentally. These geometrical variations included parameters such as wing leading-edge sweep, several chord-wise elements, addition of trailing edge flaps and of side fins. The main advantage of the numerical computations was to allow for the investigation of a large number of wing geometries without an expensive and lengthy fabrication process of similar wind-tunnel models. Results of this study indicate that complying with the current Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) regulations, a rear wing with a lift coefficient on the order of −2.2 (based on wing's reference area) is possible.