Design and Analysis of Aerodynamic and Thermal Solutions for Sidepods in a Student-Designed Formula

This project centers on the design and optimization of the 2024-2025 Gaucho Racing Formula SAE car’s sidepods. This component is critical for two objectives: managing external airflow to reduce drag and control tire wake, and directing airflow towards the car’s radiators to cool the vehicle’s internal electronics. Using 2D and 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations (CFD), we will analyze the effects of different design variations on drag, downforce, and cooling efficiency. The primary goal is to identify an optimal sidepod geometry that balances these aerodynamic and thermal demands to establish a strong foundation and understanding for future Gaucho Racing designs.