Oxford Brookes Racing going for e-gold in Formula Student

Oxford Brookes Racing (OBR) is once again entering the Formula Student competition, but this year they are trying something different.

Rebekah Potter is the PR and communication manager for the race team, made up of students from Oxford Brookes university, and she says that this is the first year the team will be entering a fully functional electric race car into the competition.

“OBR20 will be our first electric entry in class 1, so a big change for us from our combustion era,” she says. “In 2019 we entered an electric vehicle as a class 2 concept entry, which provided us with an additional year to clean up the manufacturability and design challenges that have been all-new to the entire team.

“It is the right time to make the jump, and since we’ve been preparing for this transition with OBR19 class 2 – we see it more than within reach to not only bring a car to competition, but to bring a competitive, rules compliant, and reliable car.”

The car itself consists of a carbon monocoque as well as an aerodynamics package that has been calculated to give the team a 170.5 point advantage. The design also features all wheel drive and a motor delivering 172bhp, limited to 107 at all competitions, with in-hub planetary gearboxes designed in house, as well as bespoke carbon fibre rims and 3D printed titanium uprights.

Rebekah says that the total redesign that was required over the last two years has been a challenge, but that the overall aim is to win the competition and be the best in the UK.
“I would say the move to EV in general, between the actual engineering work to designing our own battery, to the new control systems, to the new ways of operating as a team have been some of the biggest challenges we have faced as a team,” she says. “Obviously, our end goal is to win FSUK and be the Top UK team. Besides that, to complete endurance with our first electric car will be a huge achievement, something everyone at the team will be proud of.”

Rebekah says that she has enjoyed the “real-life experience” that the challenge brings, and says “there is nothing more satisfying than seeing the fruits of your labour and knowing that you are instrumental in the success of your team”.