Building the ideal sports car for racing is not only about the car's look or how its motor growls, but indeed, it is those things, too. The real magic takes place under the hood and in the design studio, where engineers and designers work together to create a fast yet precise, reliable, and fun machine. Well, if you have often wondered what it takes to build such a beast, then you're in the right place.
The Foundation
The basis of every super sports car is its chassis. The car's chassis is like a backbone to the structure of the body and makes sure that everything works harmoniously. If it is to be used for racing, this chassis should be lightweight and very strong. Materials like carbon fiber and aluminum alloys are used because they have great strength yet are lightweight.
Lighter means more acceleration and better handling, yet still robust enough to keep it at the necessary rigidity at high speeds. If you're as passionate about racing, and you're confident in the engineering behind these machines, on this website, you can even place a bet on your favorite races.
The engineers designing the frame try to minimize flex. Too much flex invites instability, mainly in the corners, where really good handling is demanded. The reinforcement of the chassis through bracing and advanced engineering methods like computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tests every nook and stress point and simulates proper design for it.
Engine and Transmission
No sports car is complete without a big engine. In racing, however, it is not all about horsepower but about the delivery of the power. A well-balanced engine with a smooth and consistent power curve will always be more useful than an engine boasting high horsepower. Most engineers favor a turbocharged or supercharged engine since this can produce much power without adding too much weight to the vehicle.
Then, of course, there's the transmission. While a manual gearbox is perhaps more engaging, much of today's racing machinery relies on sophisticated dual-clutch automatics that can shift quicker than any human. The transmission will be matched especially to the engine for race requirements: maximum power application to the wheels with no loss. This is the synchronization between engine and transmission that allows a racing car to accelerate out of corners and reach top speeds on the straights.
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is a crucial phase in racing car design. Every bodywork element on the car is molded laboriously to reduce drag and increase downforce. Downforce, in particular, is key to keeping the car glued to the track, enabling the acceleration of cornering speed. The more downforce you have, the greater the grip that your tires can generate, which usually comes with the penalty of increased drag.
Extensive wind tunnel testing and CFD fine-tune the aerodynamics of the car, with lots of concentration on the front splitter, the rear wing, and the underbody diffuser. This will eliminate turbulence and ensure that air travels nicely and smoothly over the car's surface for minimal drag and stability at high speeds.
Interior Design
While racing usually pertains to performance, the interior of a sports car plays an important role, too. The driver should feel comfortable and in complete control at all times. That means, for instance, the seats, steering wheel, and pedals must be ergonomic and easily adjustable. Lightweight materials, such as carbon fiber, can be used, but comfort is never sacrificed just to keep the weight down.
Of course, there is instrumentation. All information that the driver needs to know—such as speed, RPM, and engine temperatures—is on one screen. Digital displays and HUDs are often used so the driver can be kept informed without being distracted.
The Final Touch
The process does not stop at assembling a sports car for racing. The final stage is testing and fine-tuning. The cars are taken onto the track, where every aspect of their performance is scrutinized. The engineers work with drivers to make adjustments, whether to the suspension, aerodynamics, or power delivery.
The car finally reaches its peak performance after hours of testing and fine-tuning. It is a labor of love because it's where art meets science to create a machine that doesn't just look great but runs to the highest level.