Previous Page  32-33 / 44 Next Page
Information
Show Menu
Previous Page 32-33 / 44 Next Page
Page Background

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.