Crimson Tide's Success in Formula SAE with Altair Tools

Crimson Racing, the University of Alabama’s Formula SAE team, has been participating in Formula SAE events across the United States for nearly two decades. Despite their long history, the team's most successful years have been the past five, thanks to a focus on understanding and justifying every component of their race cars. The team had made significant advancements, reducing the vehicle weight by nearly 200 pounds and advancing from a perennial 90th place to a Top 20 team in 2017. However, they set an ambitious goal to place in the top 10 at FSAE Michigan, which would require beating many of the best teams in the world. To achieve this, they decided to add a front and rear wing to their vehicle. This change, while significant for aerodynamics, also affected the structures of the vehicle, increasing loading, raising the center of gravity, and increasing the drag force which the powertrain system must overcome. The suspension team had to revalidate every load-bearing suspension component to ensure adequate strength and stiffness requirements would be met, a complex task when analyzing parts moving in three-dimensions.

Crimson Racing is the University of Alabama’s Formula SAE team, founded in 2001. They have competed in Formula SAE events across the United States, including events in Michigan, Nebraska, and Virginia. The team has a history spanning nearly two decades with Formula SAE, with the past five years being the most successful in team history. This success is attributed to a concerted focus on understanding and justifying every component on their race cars. Crimson Racing has made significant advancements in recent years, reducing the vehicle weight by nearly 200 pounds and advancing from a perennial 90th place to a Top 20 team in 2017. They have set ambitious goals for themselves, aiming to place in the top 10 at FSAE Michigan.