Terps Racing Formula SAE Team
Member since September 2022, Leadership since January 2023
The Team
Terps Racing is a group of over 150 undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Maryland, split across 3 teams: IC (internal combustion) Formula, EV (electric) Formula, and Baja (off-roading).
I am part of the IC (internal combustion) Formula team, the largest of the 3 teams.
Terps Racing is one of the highest visibility student projects within the engineering school if not the entire university. The student-led team designs, builds, and tests a small open-wheeled formula-style racecar over the course of the academic year. At the end, the team ultimately competes with the racecar against over 120 other universities from around the world.
Leading the team is a particularly high-pressure job since the University of Maryland team is known internationally as a top-tier competitor.
The team is a close-knit community of passionate students applying skills learned in the classroom and those developed from working with our peers to push the limits of automotive engineering.
I worked incredibly hard to achieve multiple leadership roles on the team, which are outlined below.
My contributions to the team:
Aerodynamics Team Lead
I manage aerodynamics sub-team projects, give weekly updates, track progress, and develop new aerodynamic innovations.
We are proud to achieve over 162lbs of downforce at just 35mph, putting our team's aerodynamics at the top of the competition.
At Terps Racing, we use data-driven design to iterate our innovations. We acquire an abundance of data through CAD, FEA simulations, CFD simulations, and real-world validation.
The true goal of Terps Racing is to develop students as outstanding engineers and members of society. Tackling a design challenge like racecar development can be incredibly daunting, even for experienced engineers. Quickly, people can become overwhelmed, lose focus, and suffer from a loss in productivity. I lead by example to keep my teammates on track. I maintain a very strong work ethic and set clear expectations and reasonable deadlines. I am always available to provide thoughtful guidance and encouragement when needed. As a result, my team currently is, and will continue to be, very successful.
+ Leading 30+ member aerodynamics team, organizing projects, deadlines, meetings, presenting team updates
+ Engineering CAD and CFD STAR-CCM+ RANS and URANS aerodynamic simulations of 2025 racecar
+ Leading Active Aerodynamics Project, High-Fidelity Simulations, Pitot Tube Project, Leading Pressure Taps / Pressure Scanner Project, Data Validation Projects,Front Wing Development, Undertray / Diffuser Development
+ Led recruitment for Fall 2023 (500+ new students reached) - organized interest meetings, flyers, and outreach
CAD Software
SOLIDWORKS
CFD Simulations
STAR-CCM+
Real-World Validation
Wind Tunnel Testing, Sensors
CFD Simulation Methodology
K-omega SST
Solver parameters set according to Siemens Star CCM+ best practices
‘Heavier’ than k-epsilon
However, k-epsilon had issues under-predicting separation on rotating tires vs other published experimental and CFD results
Low Y+ Mesh
Allows better modeling of separation and turbulent flows
30+ million cells
General dev in straight line half car runs with symmetry
In no-symmetry validation sims, only ~1% difference in downforce and drag values
Validation cases run every couple major iterations
Ensures aero package developed isn't overly sensitive
These cases were pitching, crosswind, roll, and cornering and different velocities
Pitch, cornering, and roll values determined by lapsim data, crosswind values from MIS weather data
Cornering sims run using circular domain to more closely match real life
All simulation data below is at 35mph
TR24 Front Wing
Design selected for superior performance, tire wake management, and undertray interaction
Full length 3D curved elements match flow off main element
Funnels air into undertray and sidepod, and increases downforce
Balance shifted forward by 6% compared to 2023 racecar
Downforce increased by 16% from 2023 racecar DF: 97 lbf, Drag: 16 lbf, Weight reduced by 2 lbs
TR24 Nose Wing with Hoerner Wingtip
Nose wing Hoerner wingtip vortex directs front tire wake outboard of rear wing endplates, increasing Rear Wing Downforce by 22%
Variable AOA nosewing to match airflow off front wing, preventing flow separation
TR24 Rear Wing
Biplane design takes advantage of high energy airflow around the main roll hoop and the driver’s helmet
DF: 117 lbf, Drag: 45 lbf
TR24 Undertray
Vortex driven design generates 46% of full car downforce and only 11% full car drag
Vertical fences in front of the tire decrease tire drag and improve undertray performance
DF: 148 lbf, Drag: 12 lbf, Weight reduced by 3 lbs
TR24 Sidepods
Diverging duct increases static pressure in front of radiator to increase mass flow
Curved inlet profile increased mass flow to radiator by 15% compared to 2023 race car
External geometry designed to pull air inboard of the rear wheels and manage airflow over the middle of the car improving rear wing and undertray performance
Mounting and Structures
Waterjet 7075 swannecks with bonded carbon outer skin
Large elements feature carbon tubes and inserts to increase torsional rigidity
Designed for load cases including 3g cornering inertial loads, aerodynamic side force (spin) at V_max, downforce and drag at V_max, and cone strikes.
Spread tow fabric to reduce weight
Strake outboard of rear wing endplates, increasing Rear Wing DF by 2.75%
Recruitment and Outreach Lead
Through my role leading Terps Racing’s recruitment and retention, I reached out to over 30 professors and listservs to post recruitment flyers. This resulted in a highly successful two-day event which led to an impressive recruitment of underrepresented groups of engineering students, especially female engineering students, and ultimately increased the team’s overall retention by threefold. I communicate the team's goals, values, and opportunities effectively to new members and provide support throughout their onboarding process.
I also developed “Feature Fridays” in which specific members’ contributions are highlighted weekly on social media, in addition to providing technical and sponsorship postings. I promote and support Terps Racing’s involvement in a variety of community events such as the Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics fair, Maryland Day, and the College Park Parade.
Leading recruitment for 2024 (500+ new students reached) - organized interest meetings, flyers, and outreach
