Kindly give us an overview of your university and team!
Muhammad Hamza Rao (MHR): National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) is the number one Engineering University in Pakistan. With campuses in multiple cities focusing on leading the transformation of Pakistan towards a rapidly developing Knowledge Economy to realise the national objective of a progressive and prosperous country among nations. NUST Formula Student Team (NFST) first started in 2012 and serves as the pioneers of Formula Student (FS) culture in Pakistan. It was initially formed as a Final Year project for the sake of participation in the 2012 competition. After that NFST established itself as an official FS team of NUST and have participated 6 times in FSUK and 2 times in FSG. The team now continues to participate in FS competitions and guide newly formed FS teams in Pakistan.
How has COVID been affecting the team in Pakistan? What sort of restrictions have you had to work under and how have you been overcoming these?
MHR: COVID has severely affected Pakistan ever since March 2020 and the closure of universities was a major obstacle to the team’s progress over the last year. The industrial sector was disturbed and this introduced delays in the manufacturing of the car. During this time, the technical department changed their focus from manufacturing to R&D and made advances by discovering new modes to enhance the performance of the car. On the other hand, our marketing team started research on professional marketing techniques to expand their abilities. The team tried its level best to keep healthy communication between the departments through regular online sessions, with the main objective to keep the entire team updated with the progress of other departments while having moments of leisure to keep us amused. Universities throughout the country reopened in February 2021 and the team rapidly started the manufacture and assembly of our car by putting in extra effort. Now the team is ready to commence the testing phase of the vehicle.
Do you collaborate with your colleagues from Formula Electric Racing NUST (FERN)?
MHR: Yes, both NFST and FERN collaborate on a regular basis. The working space of both teams is adjacent and hence both the teams often share the manufacturing resources. Both the teams acknowledge the unavailability of supplies for events and lend each other assets required to organize public events such as Car Unveiling and Roadshows.
What do teams from Pakistan bring to the competition?
MHR: Emerging from a background where technology isn’t yet available for most parts of the country, teams from Pakistan bring the hopes of youth. These teams form only a chunk of the automobile enthusiasts in the country and get to FS competitions on the hard work of days and nights. Pakistani teams believe in “where there is a will, there is a way” and on this belief, they make the whole of Pakistan proud and impress the world.
Tell us about the vehicle you’re developing for FS2021!
MHR: Regardless of the uncertainty due to COVID situation as well as the added responsibility to follow SOPs this year, the team is performing profoundly well. Technical team spend days and nights in garage fabricating NAS21, which is designed and simulated to be better than all its predecessors. NAS21's steel space-framed chassis has efficient load paths ensuring the rigidity of structure. All the systems are compactly packaged, light weight and ergonomically sound. This year’s car is targeted to be almost 25 Kgs lighter than the previous car. Vehicle is equipped with CBR 600RR Engine that is tuned to its maximum power in the given conditions. Carbon fibre body ensures the aerodynamic characteristics align with our targets while adding advantage to power to weight ratio. All of these specifications are made to ensure NAS21’s participation in dynamic events. Moreover, car is under extensive testing period, real time data is being collected to monitor the car on track so it can be further tuned accordingly.
What are your goals for FS2021?
MHR: NFST participated in FSUK Virtual 2020 and as a result of the team’s diligent efforts, we were successful in securing extraordinary results as 3rd in Design and Acceleration Event, 10th in Cost and Skidpad Event. NFST managed to grab 7th Overall position in the competition. Now working with passion fuelled by last year’s results and valuable feedback received from judges, the team is aiming to achieve better results than FS 2020. We aim to secure the top 3 positions in Static Events while making it to the list of overall top 25 teams.
What have been your best moment of the competition so far?
MHR: NFST thoroughly enjoyed the experience of a virtual event and coming 3rd in the design competition was the best moment that the team has experienced. While in the live event of FSUK 2019, the team was overjoyed after successfully clearing the noise test after multiple attempts and securing the 4th sticker to showcase on the nose of NAS19.
What made you and/or some of your team members join Formula Student?
MHR: The goals and aims of NFST were the main reasons that most team members were impressed and they joined; to be part of those causes. NFST aims to form the best team by making the best car while promoting FS culture in Pakistan. NFST is striving hard to bring FS to Pakistan by promoting motorsport culture and ultimately pilot automotive industries to the country. NFST also aims to make Pakistan’s first-ever Driverless Vehicle in the near future.
What would you say to anyone just starting FS for the first time this year?
MHR: Formula Student is a platform for learning and grooming one’s technical and soft skills. It provides the best opportunity to experience professionalism, international exposure, and everlasting memories. To the team, firstly NFST welcomes them to the FS community and congratulates them for taking the chance to start FS this year. Secondly, NFST advises the new teams to work on defining a proper vision for the future and team building to bring the best out of each team member while creating trust bonds within the team. Team’s vision and bonding are very crucial for the team in the long run.
Who or what inspires you and the team?
MHR: In 2012 NFST was established by final year students who truly believed in making automotive sector alive in Pakistan by deciding to build the FS cars. Captain Nadeem Ahmed was chosen as our first faculty advisor and then he became the main orchestrator behind its future visions and betterment. His adamant support, vision and ambitions regarding building a better future were what lead this team to its first international stage. However, in the most tragic form of ways, he departed from us and embraced martyrdom on 4th Sept 2013.
Since then, the NUST Formula Student team commemorates his memory by naming the vehicle “NAS: Nadeem Ahmed Shaheed” every year as a tribute to his undying efforts and determination for the team.
Who in the team deserves some recognition for their work?
MHR: For a competition like FS, the whole team has to give their ultimate best in order to produce a car fit for the competition. With that being said, it is common for the team leaders to bear more load than the team members. Our technical lead, Mr. Zeeshan Nazir has been an adamant pillar for the team. Starting his journey from the marketing department and then shifting to technical department to become vehicle dynamics lead, he was able to understand all the intricate details of the team and hence contribute effectively as the jack of all trades. His dedication for the team while managing his academic studies and Final Year Project, all while maintaining a constant streak of 4.0 GPA has been an inspiration to the whole team. He is a highly proficient member with extraordinary intellect. His creativity yields numerous innovative ideas to steer the team in the right direction. He is known as the ‘problem-solver’ of the team and every member of the team looks up to him with respect and admiration.
Who would you like to thank?
MHR: NFST is grateful to everyone who supported us, believed in our vision, and became a part of our journey. NFST would love to thank our sponsors Orix and Schaeffler along with NUST PNEC’s administration for their never-ending support to the team. Last but not the least, NFST is more than grateful to the team members for their determination and passion to turn our dreams into reality, and their families for supporting us throughout our journey.
Thanks to the team for their latest news and we wish them the best with their 2021 campaign!
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