Racing Car Design and Development

Dialogue between one of the world’s most experienced racing car designers and a technical author-graduate engineer on the theory and technique of racing car design and development.

Contents include:

• The anatomy of a racing car designer
• Len Terry - A Biographical Sketch
• Description of nearly 30 Terry designs from clubman’s sports car to Indianapolis winner
• A blank sheet of paper - Len Terry explains his procedure for advancing a new design from the sketch pad to the race track
• Handling characteristics - The theoretical aspects; oversteer and understeer; practical implications
• Structural considerations - Space-frames and monocoques; the cockpit area; the structural engine; progress and legislation
• Suspension - Changing needs and layouts; the torsion bar; self-levelling systems; anti-dive and anti-squat; progressive-rate springing; stiffness/weight ratio
• Brakes, wheels and tires - Influence of smaller wheels; twin-disc brake systems; attention to details; low-profile tire phenomena
• Aerodynamics - Basic considerations; wings and things; intake ram effect; ’ground effect’ vehicles
• The cooling system - Radiator location; cooling the oil
• Safety and comfort; primary and secondary safety; driver comfort
• Materials
• Components - Ball joints, batteries, brakes, clutches, dampers, driveshafts, electrics, flexible bearings, flexible fuel cells, gearshift linkages, instruments, non-return valves, nonspill fuel fillers, oil and fuel pipes, Perspex mouldings, radiators, springs and steering gear; design versus development
• The competition - nine other racing car designers discussed
• Future developments