Since the inception of motorsports, technology has played a crucial role, with industry professionals consistently prioritising technological advancement.
In the end, only the quickest, most effective, and secure vehicles reach the finish line and acquire trophies. Many technological advancements initially originated in motorsports, before being gradually integrated into mainstream vehicles. In the never-ending pursuit of top outcomes, success is achieved through a special blend of technology and human creativity.
The industry has continuously advanced from manual blueprints in the past to modern computer-aided design and simulation tools. Currently, cutting-edge motorsport vehicles are created using essential design software such as Solidworks. The high volume of available Solidworks remote job opportunities reflects the growing need for professionals in this field.
Early days of motorsport
Motor racing has its roots dating back to the 19th century, starting shortly after the internal combustion engine was invented. The first organised competition took place in France in 1894. Back then, the vehicles were rather basic and all progress was made through trial and error.
Engineers had to rely on physical engine prototypes and constant experimentation to understand how their designs would behave in a real race. This approach was both expensive and time-consuming, without offering much in terms of predictability. Designers had to use wind tunnels and much physical testing to improve their blueprints. The process involved building many iterations of the same vehicle before reaching the desired performance. This also put many limitations on the scope of innovation, as each design change required more resources and time.
Computer-Aided Design
The history of using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) in the automotive industry began in the 1960s, with French designer Pierre Bézier, who developed UNISURF, a tape-based computer that was able to create ink drawing and tooling concepts for car bodies. CAD started to be used more widely in the 1980s, and it quickly turned the whole industry on its head.
Engineers were now able to create detailed digital models of their vehicles, at a fraction of the cost and time required previously. They could see and modify their ideas in a virtual environment, before creating them physically. As the technology advanced, it became possible to simulate aerodynamics, structural integrity, and weight distribution. This in turn allowed engineers to explore a wider range of ideas, under different racing conditions, further accelerating the innovation process.
Computational Fluid Dynamics
The advent of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was another significant step towards modern vehicle design. CFD uses numerical analysis and data structures to solve problems that involve fluid flows. In motorsport, CFD enables engineers to simulate the behaviour of air around a vehicle, thus allowing them to find new ways to improve aerodynamic performance. By understanding how air moves around the car, they can make necessary adjustments to reduce drag and increase downforce, which leads to better performance on the track. The use of CFD has also reduced the need for physical wind tunnel testing, further cutting down on development costs and time.
Finite Element Analysis
Although aerodynamics is certainly important, the structural strength of a vehicle is also vital. It determines how well the vehicle can endure the various stresses experienced during operation, including acceleration, braking, turning, and collisions. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has also been a revolutionary tool in motorsports design. FEA is a technique used in engineering simulations to determine the response of materials or components to stress, vibration, or heat, helping engineers and designers predict their behaviour accurately. This enables them to pinpoint areas of weakness, alter physical elements, and develop novel materials and structures.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
AI and ML, the newest advanced tools in motorsport design and testing, are enhancing the process in various ways.
Firstly, AI and ML are beneficial for examining large quantities of data concerning simulations, testing, and race telemetry, at incredible speeds. This allows engineers to recognize specific patterns and come to data-based conclusions and choices.
Secondly, AI is already being used to create tools that optimise vehicle performance, by automatically adjusting multiple parameters in real-time, such as suspension settings, tyre pressure, and fuel strategies.
And finally, ML algorithms are a gold mine in terms of predicting how the changes in design will affect racetrack performance, thus greatly reducing the time needed to make adjustments between races.
