Wheelbase

Wheelbase is the distance between the axis of the front and rear wheel.
Only restriction for a wheelbase, according to FSAE Rules, specifically to rule T2.3 is
that the car must have a wheelbase of at least 1525 mm.
This parameter is the first one that is chosen by a team. According to a previous
experience and after a few iteration in suspension analysis software, wheelbase was set
to 1650 mm. Some of the reasons that defined this decision are :
 Suspension geometry
 Space required for other components
 Mass of the car (longer wb – longer chassis – more mass)
When the car is in cornering, there is a less transfer of mass in longer wheelbase and
then there is a less force on a turning wheel. But there should always be careful to not
overdo it because a car with longer wheelbase is less maneuverable.
Since FS-type circuits are very twisty, with a lot of slow corners and not so many high
speed straights, the goal is to make the wheelbase as short as possible (taking those
mentioned reasons into account)
Track width
It is the distance between the center of the left and right tires. Track width is decided
primarily by taking the most (best) out of stability vs. maneuverability trade-off.
The track width on the front is 1200 mm, while on the rear is 1140 mm.
The reason why the rear track width is narrower than the front is that the rear of the car
always has a tighter path (under assumption that there is no rear wheel steering
system), so making rear track width narrower, makes it easier for the driver to navigate
around the FS-type circuits.
The ratio between wheelbase and front track width is 1,375. It is inside of a
recommended values that are 1,3 to 1,7.

Tyres

Cross ply or bias constructed tyres are constructed of series of nylon cords plies that
are criss-crossed over each other at a 30-45°angle to the thread center line to form a
frame over which rubber is integrated to create a tyre.

Cross ply tire

Radial tyres are constructed with perpendicular polyester plies and criss-crossing steel
belths underneath the tread that increases structural integrity.
 Cross-ply Radial
Vehicle Steadiness +
Cut Resistance- Thread +
Cut Resistance- Sidewall +
Reperability +
Self Cleaning +
Traction +
Heat Resistance +
Wear Resistance +
Fuel Economy +
Cost +

Some of the reasons why the crossply tires are chosen are:
 Cost
 Better sidewall stiffness
 Cross ply tires gives more warning about traction limits and have excellent
feedback of what the contact patch is doing

Taking our preferences and needs into account (racing), cross ply tyres offer more
advantages we can benefit from, therefore we chose that type of tyres.

Difference between 10“ and 13“

10“ tyres pros:

 Lower rotational inertia
 Less unsprung mass
 Better maneuverability
 Faster heat up to operating temperature

Due to 10“ pros 13“ wheels are chosen and some of the reasons for that are:
 There is a better choice of tyres than 10“
 10“ tyres offer a less internal space to house brake and suspension components,
so the processes of producing this parts are much complicated and also there is
a possibility in some suspension compromises
 13“ are also usually wider so they offer a better contact patch what mean more
grip and traction- reducing braking distance and reducing chances of skidding
 With bigger width tyre a better corner stability is provided
 13“ Allow wider (taller) upright design, which means less torque around
horizontal longitudinal axis, putting less stress on wishbone bearings, and
therefore less robust (heavy) bearings and other suspension elements can be
used