Panther Racing Demonstrates STAR-CCM+ Simulation Software

By DE Editors

The Panther Racing Team and JR Hildebrand took a second-place finish in the recent Indianapolis 500. Panther Racing uses CD-adapco’s STAR-CCM+ engineering simulation software to optimize the aerodynamic performance and thermal durability of its IndyCar.

The Panther Racing National Guard IndyCar, piloted by the 23-year-old rookie Hildebrand, was denied victory in a dramatic finale. Retaking the lead late in the race, Hildebrand needed to round the final turn and negotiate traffic to secure his place in racing history. Unfortunately, Hildebrand’s tires lost traction on “marbles,” lumps of discarded tire rubber, losing traction, causing him to crash into the wall of Turn 4 and yield victory to Dan Wheldon. Despite the damage, Hildebrand was able to hang on for another second place finish for Panther Racing, making this four in a row.

“The disappointment of not winning the race isn’t for me personally, but more for my team, Panther Racing and for everybody in the National Guard,” Hildebrand says. “These guys did an unbelievable job putting us in a position to win the Indianapolis 500 and I don’t think you can say enough about our performance here this month.”

“CD-adapco is proud to have played a small part in this inspirational story,” says CD-adapco Senior Vice President, Bill Clark. “We are confident that Panther Racing will return to the victory lane soon.”

For more information, visit CD-adapco.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.