CR11

Ann, or CR11, was the car developed by the Formula Student race team at Cardiff University for the 2015 season. With the outstanding results from our previous car at the UK (Silverstone) event, within the top ten overall, and first without an aerodynamics package, there were high hopes and even higher expectations placed on the team. 

Noting how well the chassis design did last year, this has been kept relatively unchanged. Likewise the intake and exhaust have been kept relatively similar with just a few small changes to give that little bit extra. In regard to the suspension design, we have changed to Fox Van Rc Dampers and Coil springs for our suspension on CR11. With the addition of anti-roll bars, last seen on CR04, we hope to have the upper hand for handling. The use of anti roll bars is used so that the car gets less roll in the corners, a torsional bar is attached to both sides of the car to stiffen up the outside suspension. 

Do wings work? This is the question that has been asked year of year since wings were first seen on a Formula Student car. For 2015 new aero rules severely restricted the size of allowable wings making their development even more difficult.

At Silverstone in 2014 Cardiff Racing's CR10 was the fastest car without an aero package, so we decided to investigate whether an aero package will give us what we need to improve our score in the dynamic events. But by the nature of the event, any potential improvements in dynamics would come at a disadvantage in the cost event, as a result Cardiff Racing decided to carry out a full cost benefit analysis of an aerodynamics package. Extensive modelling in CFD was conducted to create an aero package, made up of front and rear wings and a floor and diffuser, to test on CR10. 

Physical testing was carried out on CR10 to acquire lift and drag coefficients with and without aero. This data was then fed into the simulator we have been developing that is capable of simulating all the dynamic events. Track times with and without aero can be calculated and an adjusted score for the 2014 UK event can be calculated, this increase in points will be compared to the decrease in points seen in the cost event. Cardiff Racing is still striving to answer the real question teams should be asking "Are wings actually worth it?"

The 2015 season was one of our most active when it comes to engagement within the community. The team attended multiple Skills fairs and School career days, often taking our simulator open peoples' minds to engineering, STEM subjects, and race cars. Along with the community engagement the team also presented CR10 to sponsors, a sign of how much we appreciate their continued support. We have had great sponsors once again this year and we'd like to thank everyone again who has helped us.

SPECIFICATIONS

Body: Aluminium monocoque / rear spaceframe

Brakes: Custom 190/200mm steel discs front/rear

Calipers: Front - Brembo (120A44110), Rear - AP Racing (4226-2SO)

Suspension: Push rod actuated Fox Rc Dampers with Coil Springs

Tyres: Hoosier C2000 R25B

Wheels: 3 piece, Keizer rims and centres

Engine Name: Aprilia SXV 550 V-twin

Engine type: SOHC fluid cooled two cylinder four-stoke

Engine Capacity: 553 cc

Bore & Stroke: 80 x 55 (mm)

Compression Ratio: 12.5 : 1

Inlet: Laser sintered plenum

Injection: Stock injectors

Exhaust: Student designed absorptive 2-1 silencer 34mm diameter

Drive Train: Yamaha differential, custom housing.

Final Drive: 3.45:1

Drive Ratio: 12.5:1

Length: 2749 mm

Width: 1341 mm

Height: 1138 mm

Wheelbase: 1560 mm

Track: 1150 / 1120 mm