NEWSLETTER July
CONTENT INDRODUCTION Page 3 ORDER OF EVENTS AT A COMPETITION Page 4 FORMULA STUDENT UK 2015 Page 9 SPONSOREN 2015 Page 11 PRESS CONVERAGE & EVENTS Page 14 CONTACT Page 15 2
INTRODUCTION Currently we are in the most exciting phase of our racing season the competition phase. In this newsletter you will learn about the details of a formula student competition and how points can be scored. In this issue you can read also about the results of our first competition in Silverstone. Competitions 2015: 09.07.2015 12.07.2015 Formula Student UK 28.07.2015 02.08.2015 Formula Student Germanxy 10.08.2015 J13.08.2015 Formula Student Austria 01.09.2015 05.09.2015 Formula Student Japan For further news you can visit our homepage: http://www.racing.tugraz.at. 3
ORDER OF EVENTS AT A COMPETITION SCRUTINEERING: In advance to the dynamic events every car has to pass the so-called scrutineering. During this process, it is tested whether the racing car complies with the rules and safety regulations. Cars with combustion engines undergo the following tests: Tech and Safety Tilt Table Noise Test Brake Test During the tech- and safety tests, it is tested whether the racing car complies with all technical and safety-related regulations. In addition to that, every driver has to prove they are in a ready to race condition, meaning they are able to leave the car within 5 seconds when fully dressed and buckled up. Next, the tilt-, noise- and break- tests have to be passed. During the tilt test the car, containing the tallest driver, is first tilted to an angle of 45 degree, then the angle is increased to 60 degrees. This is done to check whether any fluids leak and whether the car is in accordance with the rules concerning rollover protection. During the noise test, the volume of the exhaust pipe is measured. Since this year, it must not be louder than 110 db. And, as can be guessed from the name, the break test makes sure the breaks of the car comply with the safety regulations. 4
EVENTS: The events of a formula student competition can be divided into two categories: static and dynamic. These competitions therefore cannot be won by just having a fast car, one has to have a convincing overall concept. In total one can achieve 1000 points. The scoring system may vary from competition to competition. The team scoring the most points is winner over all. The team with the most points in the static events is awarded the title static winner over all. There is also the title dynamic winner over all for the team with the most points in the dynamic events. This is a list of all the events that have to be completed in a competition: Static Events: Business Presentation (75 points) : In this event, a hypothetical selling plan for the car is presented to potential investors. Each team has 10 minutes for a beamer-presentation and has to answer questions from the investors for 5 minutes after that. The teams with the most convincing ideas and presentations present their business plans again in the final round to the whole jury and in front of all teams. 5
Cost (100 points): Here, the total costs of the car, if it was to be produced in series, are listed. For this it is assumed that 1000 cars are built every year. For the calculation, every part is allocated a certain value. At the competition, one has to explain to the jury why certain materials were chosen, how the individual parts were produced and what the costs comprise. In addition to the total costs, this is also considered for the evaluation. Engineering Design (150 points): In this event, each team defends their car design. The design details of the racing car are discussed with a group of judges and the team members have to justify their decisions. The jury usually comprises representatives from economy and the car industry. 6
Dynamic Events: Acceleration (75 points): This event is easily explained: the goal is to be the first car to reach the end of a 75 m long straight lane. The focus is not only on the perfect start but also on the acceleration and the final speed of the racing car.. Skid Pad (50 points): This event is about the road performance of the car. The loops of a horizontal eight are driven twice in clockwise and twice in counterclockwise direction. The fastest car wins this event. Autocross (150 points): The autocross event is a sprint competition. A 1,5 km long racetrack has to be completed as fast as possible. This event is also the qualifying for the endurance event. Therefore, a good place in autocross means a good starting position for endurance. 7
Fuel Economy (100 points): The fuel economy event happens simultaneously to the endurance event. The car emitting the lowest amount of CO2 during the endurance event wins. Before endurance, the car is filled up and afterwards, the expenditure is measured. Endurance (300 points): The endurance event it the supreme discipline of formula student. It is a 22 km long endurance race. This is not only an endurance test for the car, but also for the 2 drivers who drive 11 km each. The teams completing the endurance usually are already among the top 25 of the competition. 8
FORMULA STUDENT UK 2015 From July 9th to July 12th, the annual formula student UK competition took place in Silverstone. It is the only competition at which cars with combustion engine can directly compete with electric cars. The TU Graz Racing Team with its new TANKIA was among the 96 teams taking part in this competition. On July 7th we started our trip to Silverstone in order to have enough time for preparations on-site. After a 24 hours drive, we arrived in Silverstone. We were exhausted but highly motivated. On Thursday morning the competition started with the static events. We completed the design- and cost competition in the morning, the business presentation took place on the early afternoon. After that we prepared our TANKIA for the technical tests. The next day, the TANKIA passed the scrutineering as well as the tilt- and noise test. In order to qualify for the dynamic events, the break test had to be completed after that. The fist dynamic events were scheduled for Saturday. In acceleration we finished in 11th place. In skid pad we were more successful. With a time of 4.881 sec. we took second place and therefore were the best car with combustion engine in this event. In the afternoon the autocross took place. Due to our good lap times, we secured a good starting position for the endurance event, taking place the next day. Unfortunately, the weather was quite unstable, so endurance had to be interrupted before our run because of the heavy rain. We had problems with our TANKIA at the driver change and therefore we could not complete endurance. The Award Ceremony on the same evening therefore was not the victory celebration we had hoped for. But we are still proud of our achievements and we congratulate the winning teams. We are looking forward to the next competition taking place in Germany and hope to be able to realize our full potential there. 9
Results FSUK 2015: Business Presentation: 50. Cost Report: 70. Design Event: 16. Acceleration: 11. Skid-Pad: 2. Autocross: 5. Over all: 24. 10
SPONSORS 2015 11
SPONSORS 2015 12
SPONSORS 2015 13
PRESS CONVERAGE & EVENTS Press converage: TU Graz People, Juli 2015: TU Graz-Studierende geben Vollgas Krone Zeitung Steiermark, 06.Juni 2015: Ein Formel 1-Boxenstopp der ganz besonderen Art Kleine Zeitung Wohin, 13.Mai 2015: Das Grazer Studenten-Derby Steiermark heute, 12. Mai 2015: Vorstellung Rennboliden TU Wirtschaftsnachrichten Süd, April 2015: Autos die bewegen Kleine Zeitung, 18. März 2015: 50.000 PS Wirtschaftsnachrichten Süd, März 2015: Viel Neues Kleine Zeitung, 26. Oktober 2014,: Formula Student Coming Events: 28.07.2015 02.08.2015 Formula Student Germany 10.08.2015 13.08.2015 Formula Student Austria 01.09.2015 05.09.2015 Formula Student Japan 14
CONTACT TU Graz Racing Team Inffeldgasse 25D A-8010 Graz P.O. Box: Inffeldgasse 25D A-8010 Graz ZVR Nr.: 047946451 E-mail for general questions: info@racing.tugraz.at Team Leader: Simon Dreymann simon.dreymann@racing.tugraz.at +43 664 75 000 987 Banking Details: Raiffeisenlandesbank Steiermark TU Graz Racing Team 8010 Graz, Austria IBAN: AT06 3800 0000 0778 6429 BIC: RZSTAT2G 15