Case Study: Palatov Motorsport achieves race-winning aerodynamic performance and 98% CFD-to-test correlation with SOLIDWORKS

Advancing high-performance automobile development with SOLIDWORKS solutions

Palatov Motorsport, a small specialty car manufacturer, designs and builds high-performance automobiles, parts, and accessories primarily for track-day and limited road use. Facing the challenge of developing, testing, and validating new automotive concepts on a tight budget with a team of four, Palatov standardized on SolidWorks 3D design tools and later added SolidWorks Flow Simulation CFD to support aerodynamic and systems development.

Using SolidWorks and SolidWorks Flow Simulation, Palatov validated designs with a 98% correlation between simulation and physical testing, optimized aerodynamics (retaining about 400 lb of downforce at 100 mph while improving front/rear distribution), and iterated a patent-pending suspension that removes the need for antiroll bars. The results enabled the four-person team to design and build more than two dozen high-performance cars and win at Pike’s Peak (Unlimited Class 2012, Open Class 2015), demonstrating clear performance and development gains from SolidWorks solutions.

Palatov Motorsport

Dennis Palatov

Founder and Managing Partner