4 CALCULATE THE FINAL VELOCITY OF THE CAR
(This is the velocity at the end of the time interval.)
Final velocity squared = Initial velocity squared + 2 × Acceleration × Distance
travelled
5 CALCULATE MOTOR RPM
(RPM at the end of the time interval)
Using the final velocity obtained from above the motor RPM is calculated
RPM = Velocity (m/s) × 60000 × Gear ratio
π × Wheel Diameter (mm)
6 CALCULATE MOTOR DRIVE FORCE
Using the motor RPM from above and the Torque vs RPM graph for the motor at the sun
level being considered, determine the motor torque as detailed previously.
Use this torque to calculate motor drive force as detailed previously. NOTE: the drive
force is limited to the value determined in wheel slip testing by comparing the wheel slip
force to the motor drive force and using the lower value.
7 CALCULATE AIR DRAG
Use the final velocity to calculate the air drag as detailed previously.
8 REPEAT CALCULATIONS
Using the data calculated above, update the all the forces acting and re-evaluate the
resultant force acting on the car. Repeat the calculations for the next specified time
interval. Continue this cycle until the car has completed the course. By keeping a
running total of time and distance travelled we know exactly where we are on the track at
any time. Since the track is defined, logic statements based on distance are used to
modify the gravity forces as we go up and down the hills and add the rolling resistances
due to the corners. This process of calculating the conditions and position at the end of
each short time interval is continued until the total distance travelled = track distance.
The race is then over and the total of the time intervals is the time taken to complete the
race.