PROFESSIONAL MOTORSPORT
SIMULATION SOFTWARE
Finding the optimum for a certain setup configuration
LapSim has the possibility programmed to run a scalable amount of setup variations, based on 1 to 3 setup's you specify.
By clicking on the pushbutton you can select the setup's. They need to be LapSim setup files.
LapSim will make 7 x 7 = 49 setup variation runs per setup. This leads to a graph as shown on the right side.
On the x-axis and y-axis are the variables of the setup. The z-axis shows the laptime. The graph therefor shows you if the original setup is (close to) optimal, laptime wise.
You can subsequently click in the figure to analyse the individual results. The individual runs are not saved, because it would consume a lot of disk space.
If you want to analyse one or more individual runs more closely, you can simply let LapSim re-calculate them by pushing the button "Simulate selected run"
Helpful for a vehicle without a 3D aeromap
If a LapSim setup does not have a 3D aeromap, the variation menu will enable a variation run of ARB stiffness distribution versus weight balance.
LapSim offers the option to change the weight distribution into rear rideheight but this only makes sense if there is a 3D aeromap.
For one set-up the variation run consist of 7 x 7 = 49 runs as can be seen in the figure on the right.
Experience has shown, that with a change of the setup, one also needs to adjust the brake balance, to get the fastest laptime.
Within LapSim there is the 'optimisation' routine for the brake balance, which is used.
To improve accuracy, LapSim always makes a second simulation run with the 'advised' brake balance.
It subsequently chooses the fastest of the two runs. The resulting brake balance for each setup can be seen in results, as shown in the third figure.
Optimal preparation for a race weekend
In case you have a 4D aeromap in the setup of your vehicle, LapSim can extend variation runs for several wing positions.
This is a great help in the preparation for a race weekend. It will give you a clear direction of the wing position with corresponding rideheight settings.
Alternatively you can let LapSim vary the weight balance for 4 different rear rideheights.
Wing angle -1 degree
In the figures you see an example of a simulation run for 4 wing positions.
The top figure is with the rear wing at -1 degree angle. Subsequent figures are the results for 3, 7 and 11 degrees rear wing angle.
Wing angle 3 degrees
Out of the shape of the figures it can clearly be seen that with increasing wing angle, the rear rideheight needs to raise to get to the fastest laptime.
Furthermore, the changing shape indicates that the model favours more rollstiffness at the rear with increasing wing angle.
Wing angle 7 degrees
In this case, the fastest laptime was achieved with -1 degree rear wing, closely followed by the fastest laptime with 3 degrees of rear wing.
Apart from the fastest laptime, an analysis like this gives a clear view of how sensitive the laptime is to variations of the setup.
Wing angle 11 degrees
In the real world, laptime is strongly influenced by driver confidence. An aspect which does not play a role with the simulation model.
If the analysis learns you that 3 degrees of rear wing instead of -1, is only 0.05 [sec] of (theoretical) laptime, you know that in reality your car will almost always be faster with the rear wing at 3 degrees.