SolidWorks Model

Modeling the stock car on SolidWorks proved to be a tediously long process. Because there were so many curves on the stock car, it was difficult to obtain really accurate dimensions to model. There was a lot of estimating and guessing. We modeled the front, middle, back, then top. When it was time to do a stress analysis, there was an issue with meshing. So, simplifications had to be made to certain curves and corners of the stock car. All in all, our team's model turned out great.

Arena Racing Stock Car

An Arena Racing stock car was dropped off at VCU for the teams to take dimensions of it. With these dimensions, a model could be made on SolidWorks.

Meeting with Ricky Dennis, founder of Arena Racing

What is Arena Racing?

This project is based around the Arena Racing USA League, founded by Ricky Dennis in 2002. Arena Racing is a stock car racing company whose 2013 season runs from November to April. Currently, it only exists in Richmond, VA, at the Richmond Coliseum. Over the next ten years, Arena Racing plans to spread  to multiple cities around the United States. Before expansion can begin, their current stock car needs to be improved. Conceptualizing, designing, testing, and possibly implementing these improvements is the objective of this project.

           The current car is a half scale model of a full size stock car. All cars participating in Arena Racing are identical and sold only by Arena Racing. Additionally, there are certain restrictions and constraints on how race teams may alter or manipulate their car. The purpose is to keep all cars and equipment equal. This promotes the League’s primary focus of maintaining a skill-based racing competition.