Engineering news
The University of Stuttgart won Formula Student 2011, which took place at Silverstone over the weekend.
The event, run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, challenged universities from across the world to design and build an F1-style racing car in one year before racing them at the famous motorsport circuit over the course of four days. The cars were judged on their speed, acceleration, handling and endurance, while the teams were tested on their design, costing and business presentation skills.
Stuttgart’s victory makes it the joint most successful team in Formula Student’s 14 year history, with its three wins equalling the achievements of the University of Toronto. Its car was named the best designed vehicle and it also won the gruelling 23km endurance race.
Peter Leiphold, 26, chief executive of the winning Rennteam Stuttgart, said winning Formula Student was a proud achievement. “It’s taken a lot of hard work from a lot of people over the past year, we’ve had to deal with so many problems throughout the competition but it’s all been worth it.
“Formula Student gives you the chance to learn much more than you ever could through studying, internships and diplomas. You have to deal with ideas and concepts, design, manufacturing, costing, materials, testing, logistics – there’s such a huge range of work you have to do. I don’t think there’s any other competition in the world in which you can learn so much.”
Also celebrating were Delft University of Technology from the Netherlands, which won the low carbon Class 1A with an electric car which judged the cars as much on fuel efficiency and sustainability as on speed. Its electric car outperformed almost every petrol car that took to the track, pointing at a potential electric future for the competition and motorsport in general.
Baulvan Tricht, Team Leader of DUT Racing, said: “We’ve sacrificed an entire year for this car, with 60 people working through the night to get this result, so it feels absolutely fantastic. It was a real surprise that we performed so well against the petrol cars as well. Now we have to make sure we win again next year!”
The UK teams also put in a good showing, with the University of Hertfordshire taking an impressive 3rdplace – its best ever result. The University of Bath, who went into the final day facing the prospect of becoming the first UK winner of Formula Student, suffered a heartbreaking engine failure midway through the final endurance race, eventually finishing 16th overall.
