Formula SAE
The Formula SAE is an international design competition, constructed in which student teams from around the world with self-made racing car and compete against each other.
history
Formula SAE was held for the first time in the USA in 1981. In 1998 the competition came to Europe for the first time as a Formula Student in England. There are now competitions all over the world.
Regulations
The Formula Student regulations are designed in such a way that the participating students are given a lot of freedom to design their vehicles individually. Nevertheless, value is placed on safety, both in the design of the vehicles and in the competitions.
The most important features that a Formula Student vehicle must have:
- Monoposto (single-seat vehicle with free-standing wheels)
- Otto four-stroke engine with a maximum of 710 cm³ displacement and 20 mm air mass limiter ("Air restrictor")
- Wheelbase at least 1525 mm
Since 2010 there has also been the possibility of designing a vehicle with an electric drive (max. Output 80 kW ) under similar regulations . The differently powered vehicles usually compete in separate classes, but due to the great similarity there are also individual competitions with a common rating (e.g. Formula Student UK)
The competition language is mostly English , only in Italy , Brazil and Japan is the national language allowed.
Disciplines
Since this is a design competition and not a pure race, there are not only dynamic disciplines in which the car drives, but also so-called static disciplines. A maximum of 1000 points can be achieved.
Static disciplines
discipline | description | Max points |
---|---|---|
draft | The design of the vehicle and the engineering work performed, such as B. the use of the latest techniques and sophisticated detailed solutions are presented in a design report and presented to the judges on the car. | 150 |
Cost analysis | All costs of the parts built into the racing car, including those of the self-made parts and their manufacturing processes, must be disclosed. In a discussion with jurors, the cost awareness of the team with regard to the built vehicle is examined. | 100 |
Project presentation | A fictitious group of investors, represented by jurors, is trying to make the racing car palatable for construction in a small series. For this purpose, a professional, 10-minute presentation will be given and the questions of the jury will be answered. | 75 |
Dynamic disciplines
discipline | description | Max points |
---|---|---|
Lateral acceleration | A horizontal figure eight, each with a circle diameter of 15.25 m, is passed twice each. Each team is allowed to use two drivers, each driver has two attempts. The fastest time from all attempts counts. | 50 |
acceleration | The car is accelerated from a standing start over a distance of 75 m. Each team is allowed to use two drivers, each driver has two attempts. The fastest time from all attempts counts. | 75 |
Autocross | An approx. 800 m long handling course with straights, hairpin curves and slalom course must be completed as quickly as possible. There are no training laps available, the first time driven is also a scoring lap. Each team is allowed to use two drivers, each driver has two attempts. The fastest time from all attempts counts. | 150 |
endurance | A race over a length of 22 km is driven on a handling course similar to the autocross. After 11 km there is a driver change for which each team has three minutes. There are usually 3–6 racing cars on the track, but they only drive against the clock. A vehicle-to-vehicle race is avoided for safety reasons by setting up designated overtaking zones for slower vehicles. | 300 * |
Fuel consumption | In connection with the endurance, the fuel consumption of the racing car is determined. | 100 * |
*) As of the regulations for 2009. Before that, there were 350 points for endurance and 50 points for fuel consumption. In addition, at the German competition in Hockenheim, Fuel Economy (fuel consumption) was replaced by Fuel Efficiency (energy efficiency), which means that not only absolute consumption but also the ratio of consumption to average lap time is evaluated.
Spirit
There is always a very open and collegial atmosphere between the teams. For the most part, there is no secrecy, as in Formula 1 , for example . New teams can get advice and tips from experienced teams and, especially at the competitions, the teams exchange ideas with one another.
Venues
There are now nine official competitions worldwide: two in the USA and one each in England, Australia, Japan, Brazil, Italy, Germany and Austria. In addition, professionally organized, non-official competitions such as FS Hungary or FS Spain are becoming increasingly established.
competition | venue | exists since | takes place in |
---|---|---|---|
Formula SAE Michigan | Michigan International Speedway , USA | 1981 | May |
Formula Student | Silverstone , UK | 1998 | July |
FSAE Australia | Melbourne | 2001 | November |
FSAE Japan | Fuji Speedway | 2003 | September |
FSAE Brazil | Autódromo José Carlos Pace | 2004 | November |
FSAE Italy / Formula ATA | Riccardo Paletti Circuit | 2005 | July |
Formula Student Germany | Hockenheimring | 2006 | August |
FSAE West | Auto Club Speedway , USA | 2006 | June |
Formula Student Hungary | Győr -Gönyü, Hungary | 2010 | August |
Formula Student Spain | Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya | 2010 | August |
Formula Student Austria | Red Bull Ring , Austria | 2009 | August |
Formula Student Czech Republic | Most Autodrom, Czech Republic | 2013 | August |
Formula Student Netherlands | TT Circuit Assen , Netherlands | 2016 | July |