33
Passion
Formula Student
Faster with
coatings
A
t the beginning of the 80s, the Society of
Automotive Engineers in the USA founded the
Formula SAE, a university competition. Just shy
of two decades later, the idea arrived in Europe as the
Formula Student. Today, nine competitions are driven in
different countries throughout the world and the number
of participating racing teams is rising steadily.
The participating student teams conceive, design,
and construct a formula racing car over the course of
one year with which they compete against each other
in various events before a jury of specialists from motor-
sport and the automotive industry. The winner, however,
is not the team with the fastest car, but the one which
attains the highest point score in a series of disciplines.
In static (engineering design, cost analysis and business
plan presentation) and dynamic disciplines (acceleration
and long-distance tests, autocross, figure 8s and energy
efficiency), a maximum of 1’000 points is possible. “That’s
why our team doesn’t just have engineers, but also
students studying business administration or marketing.
The task that has been posed is to build a prototype for
a fictional small series of cars, and that means we need
more than just technology. We also need a business
plan and must attract investors for our idea,” comments
Francesco Salerno, spokesperson for the racing team
from the University of Stuttgart, Germany (Rennteam Uni
Stuttgart), explaining the Formula Student concept
SUMEBore scores thanks to
reduced friction
The world ranking currently lists over 500 SAE and
Formula Student teams. The University of Stuttgart team
is among the top ten and at the end of May was even
able to take first place in the Formula SAE in Michigan,
thereby claiming the victory in the unofficial world cham-
pionship. Peter Ernst, Head of SUMEBore Technology at
Oerlikon Metco, is especially pleased at this: “For several
years now, we have sponsored the racing team from the
University of Stuttgart with our SUMEBore technology, so
of course we cheer them on during every competition.”
The SUMEBore coatings on the cylinder bore surfaces
in the engine’s interior reduce friction and thus increase
engine power. At the same time, they reduce oil and fuel
consumption as well as wear and increase the corrosion
Silverstone, Hockenheim, Spielberg. Roaring engines, fast cars,
hot asphalt. The nerves of drivers in the paddock are strung taut
as the last fine tuning is carried out on their cars. What’s at stake
are points – and honour. Because, even if it sounds and feels like
Formula 1, the prize money at the Formula Student is the
experience of putting theoretical knowledge from the lecture
hall into practice. And having a blast doing it. Oerlikon
Balzers and Oerlikon Metco are at the track too.