Data were recorded from the 2006 University of Auckland Formula SAE race car utilising
a MOTEC ADL2 advanced data logger. The data received by the ADL2 which is most useful
for the analysis of the performance of the aerodynamic appendages are those of the movement
of the shock absorbers, longitudinal and lateral accelerations recorded by the vehicle, as well
as engine parameters such as throttle position, RPM and coolant temperature. Two of the
three available axes from the accelerometer were utilised to determine the braking,
acceleration and cornering performance of the vehicle. Data were collected from the four
acceleration runs undertaken at the 2006 Formula Student Germany competition. As the track
was particularly bumpy in places only data recorded from a smooth section in the middle of
the run was utilised to establish the relationship between the position of the shock absorber
and the speed with which the vehicle was travelling. Full details of the effect of adding the
aerodynamic features, and a comparison with the CFD and wind tunnel test predictions will
be given in the full paper