“Ala Carte” Engineering
Services
Some teams may not require a comprehensive program as outlined on the
previous page, or their budget may require that a development program be
established in several stages. In these cases, Purcell Race Engineering can
provide individual services to the team separately or in combination with
other important components. Engineering services available from Purcell
Race Engineering include:
Shop analysis of current and historical records and data - A
Purcell Race Engineering consultant will thoroughly analyze any records (lap
charts, change sheets, etc.) the team may have, and match these records
with any recorded data (from on-board data systems or video). The data
should reveal the biggest problems the team faces (mid corner understeer,
lack of power-down, unreliability, etc.) from which an action plan will be
created by Purcell Race Engineering. This often overlooked step can be crucial
to recognizing issues that a team may be missing themselves – “the forest
for the trees” syndrome.
Suspension & Chassis Analysis - Purcell Race Engineering will measure
all key points of the chassis and suspension for input into a 3
dimensional kinematics program. The measurement process itself is beyond
most amateur, and some professional teams, as accuracy is the key here.
During the measurement process, Purcell Race Engineering will examine the
health of the chassis and make recommendations as needed to improve
chassis integrity or stiffness. Once the car has been measured, the
critical points are entered into the analysis program, and problems with
roll centers, camber change curves, tire scrub or anti-dive/anti squat
(among others) are looked for and solutions examined. An action plan for
the team is established based on the discovery of any chassis or
suspension inadequacies revealed by this analysis.
Drivetrain Performance Evaluation - Even teams that use the
services of a professional engine builder may not be getting the most out
of their powerplant. Purcell Race Engineering can examine the team’s engine
tuning and maintenance program, as well as examine avenues to reduce
driveline efficiency losses. Once the issues are pinpointed, and action
plan can be established for the team to carry out in order to get the most
out of your hard-earned horsepower.
Aerodynamic Evaluation – Utilizing a combination of data analysis
(when available), coast down, streak and tuft testing, Purcell Race Engineering
can work with a team to pinpoint aerodynamic weaknesses and provide
solutions. If budget permits, a full CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics)
analysis can be performed on the car, as was done with the Van Diemen
Sports 2000. Purcell Race Engineering, in concert with EFM, can also provide
composite prototype construction for components that may offer aerodynamic
solutions. Molds can be made from these prototypes to create production
parts, in either wet-layup or pre-preg form.
Damper (Shock) Development – Purcell Race Engineering has extensive
experience with Ohlins, Penske, Fox, Koni, Bilstein, Quantum, and Dynamic
dampers. We are well-trained and experienced in rebuilding, re-valving,
and analyzing shocks on our Roehrig Shock Dynamometer. Purcell Race Engineering
can valve dampers to specs provided by a team, or work with the team to
create suitable valving and baseline adjustments for each chassis. We use
a proprietary critical damping analysis program to assist us in finding
the shock package that will suit your requirements and create maximum grip
and drive-ability.
Driver Coaching and Development – Are you new to racing, and need
basic coaching to get through your license requirements successfully, or a
young driver aspiring to a professional career? Purcell Race Engineering has
programs suited to either end of the spectrum, and anything in between.
Areas that are addressed include; Fitness, Diet, Mental Preparation, Track
Knowledge, Basic Chassis Understanding, Mechanical Sympathy and
Understanding of Driving Fundamentals. Advanced concepts are dealt with at
the race track using data analysis and visual aids. As every driver
approaches their craft from a slightly different perspective, each driver
coaching program has to be tailored to each driver.
Race Engineering – A comprehensive engineering program may consist
of many components, and combinations of all of these components are needed
to maximize the performance of the team. In lieu of a comprehensive
program, the impact that a proper race engineer alone can have during an
event can not be overstated. Purcell Race Engineering can provide a highly
skilled engineering consultant (usually Eric Purcell himself) to maximize
your team’s performance during an event. We have extensive experience with
most of today’s data acquisition systems, and will work with your driver,
data system and crew chief to find the best possible setup given each
unique set of circumstances presented on a race weekend.
The following is an example of how a team might use these services to
elevate their performance;
After an initial discussion, it could be decided that an analysis of
historical data, followed by an analysis of the damper setup would yield
the best results prior to a track test day. Purcell Race Engineering would be
contracted to pour through the team’s setup information, looking for
consistent issues that should be dealt with, finally coming up with
recommendations of actions the team should take to improve their
performance.
Following the historical analysis, Purcell Race Engineering would have the team
remove the shocks from the car and send them to the Portland facility
where they would be analyzed on Purcell Race Engineering’s Roehrig damper dyno,
and a critical damping analysis would be performed with further
information from the team. Once the shocks were rebuilt with the new
valving package and suggested starting adjustments, they would be returned
to the team in plenty of time prior to the scheduled track test.
Purcell Race Engineering would then work with the team at the track test event,
analyzing data, coaching the driver through the changes, and working
toward pre-established objectives. Following the test, the Purcell
Race Engineering consultant would analyze the data and records acquired during
the test to establish the next objectives or action items for the team to
proceed with.
