Reddit reviews Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed (Engineering and Performance)

Check to see if your university has a Formula SAE team. As an AE student you can help design and fabricate the airfoils of a Formula one car. Lightweight aeropackages with a low lift/drag ratio and a large downforce win races.

Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed (Engineering and Performance) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0837601428?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

*edit: forgot to include link

Aerodynamics, especially automotive aerodynamics, is a very complex subject. If you pursue this path in undergrad you'll need to get comfortable with advanced calculus and physics, as well as fluid mechanics. From experience, I would highly recommend getting involved with the car project teams at whatever university you decide to go to if you want to pursue a career in motorsport. Motorsport teams are looking for people that are not only exceptionally knowledgeable in their field but also passionate about racing.

As for things to read, there are loads of books on the subject. Understanding Aerodynamics by Doug McLean and Fundamentals of Aerodynamics by Anderson are two aerodynamics books sitting on my bookshelf.

For automotive/motorsport aerodynamics, the following are good books from my bookshelf:

Competition Car Aerodynamics by McBeath

Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed by Katz

Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles by Schuetz

Note, Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles is a full-on textbook and may be beyond what you're looking for, but it goes into great depth on a number of road vehicle aerodynamic topics.

One last book I came across on Amazon is Amateur Car Aerodynamics by Edgar. I haven't read this book, but the title sounds like the language may be more suited for people who don't have a background in fluid mechanics.

If there are any specific topics in fluid mechanics/aerodynamics that you are looking for I may be able to help find some.

It's certainly possible, but difficult. CFD is also an option. You are probably better off looking for a book or resources on car aero and learning some overall trends.

https://www.amazon.com/Race-Car-Aerodynamics-Engineering-Performance/dp/0837601428

I suggest you actually learn the basic fluid dynamics, then you'll understand how they work when people explain to you. Actual maths involved in proper fluid dynamics is pretty tough but you don't need it to understand the concepts.

Race Car Aerodynamics by Joseph Katz is a good mixture of theory and practical examples. The maths is basic, nothing beyond A level or first year undergraduate level.

I figured responding would be better than downvoting and what not. Here's a short list of some good textbooks to start with.


Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications: This is my favourite general fluid dynamics textbook.

Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed: Considered one of if not the best textbooks for race car specific aerodynamics.

Race Car Vehicle Dynamics: This is the defacto vehicle dynamics textbook. I don't think any F1 engineer out there hasn't read this.

Computational Fluid Dynamics: The CFD Bible.

PM me if you want ahem links to the digital versions. Sorry if I've been harsh earlier, everyone starts somewhere and some concepts aren't particularly intuitive. You've got the right attitude though, a better feel for aerodynamics will come soon enough.

Well, some books that might be worth looking at:

Formula Student Finish to Win by Patrik Sipak


Racecar: Searching for the Limit in Formula SAE by Matt Brown

Learn & Compete A primer for Formula SAE, Formula Student and Formula Hybrid teams by Suzanne Royce, Michael Royce and others

Race Car Vehicle Dynamics by William and Douglas Milliken

Race Car Aerodynamics: Designing for Speed (Engineering and Performance) by Joseph Katz

I loved all of the Carol Smith books. Engineer and design to win are great. I LOVE the way he writes.

For other books:
The scientific design of exhaust and intake systems.

Competition car suspension
^^^ This taught me a lot about Ackerman, king pin angles, etc...

Race Car Aerodynamics
^^^ I'm going through this one now, but haven't touched it in a while.

https://www.amazon.com/Race-Car-Aerodynamics-Engineering-Performance/dp/0837601428/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=race+car+aerodynamics&qid=1564857858&s=gateway&sr=8-1