David Lapworth, Technical Director of Prodrive, presented a very interesting and entertaining talk on Prodrive’s preparation for entry into F1 next season to the Midland Section of SAE-UK. An audience of students, members and friends gathered at Coventry University to learn about the implications of, and extensive effort, not to mention cost of entry into this very exclusive club.

Prodrive are already well established in the motor sport arena and are well regarded in performance engineering in most technologies associated with motorsport so the move into F1 is not surprising but nevertheless a massive hurdle for any team to clear. Hardly a season has passed recently without some regulation changes which are introduced mostly to slow the cars down, ie narrower tyres, and more recently to reduce cost, ie engines to last two races. Now the pressure is on the teams to introduce technology that will raise the interest of the spectator, hence the proposal to introduce the need for regenerative braking. The principle is that braking effort must be converted into stored energy that can be released later to gain an advantage on the track. The rate that energy can be stored is restricted, which means that only sufficient energy is stored per lap over several braking events for one overtaking manoeuvre and therefore the driver must use this advantage strategically. The technologies that can be used in this feature are most likely to be electrical charge storage and mechanical flywheel. We

will have to wait for the start of the 2009 season to see who chooses to use which system.

Another test for the teams is likely to be economy demands. If a car can go further on less fuel it will have an advantage in pit stop frequency and length. Costs could be further reduced if/when all team share the same engine ECU, causing engineers to look for other ways to improve engine performance.

Probably the most expensive single development activity is in the field of aerodynamics. Most teams have two very expensive wind tunnels working 24/7 to eke every aerodynamic advantage they can. The cost of development parts is phenomenal and this is an area where Prodrive feel they can depart from the norm as their extensive experience of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has given them confidence to go the CFD route 100%.

These were just a few of the gems introduced into David’s talk which ensured a lively discussion afterwards. The Midland Centre Chairman, Richard Mainwaring and the immediate Past Chairman Derek Reaney thanked David on behalf of an enthralled audience. Our thanks also Coventry University for the use of their excellent lecture theatre.

Bill Gladstone, Midland Section Committee SAE-UK.org