ABOUT FORMULA STUDENT


Formula Student is an international engineering design competetion first held by the Society of Automotive Engineers in 1979. The goal is to develop and provide a platform for student engineers to experience, build, and learn. It offers a unique way to test students’ theoretical knowledge in a practical context. Students gain and develop skills such as enginering, project management and team work. Points are earned in a series of off track, „Static” events, and on track, „Dynamic” events. The team with the most points at the end of the competion wins. The growing popularity of the competition is proven by the rapidly rising number of participants and the establishment of new events. Since the inaugural competition in 1979, the Formula Student competitions have developed into an international competition with participants from over 20 different countries and over 600 universities. GFR’s team goal is to win every competition we enter.

THE COMPETITION


Dynamic Events

Acceleration (75 points)

Skid Pad (75 points)

Autocross (100 points)

Efficiency (100 points)

Endurance (325 points)

Static Events

Cost Report (100 points)

Business Presentation (75 points)

Design (150 points)

Cost Report

Students create a detailed report of all costs associated with materials, processes, and assembly of the car. Points are awarded based on total car cost and report quality. Finally, students must complete a ‘Real Case Scenario’ challenge to reduce cost in specified areas based on input from event organizers.

Business Presentation

The objective of the Business Presentation is to evaluate the team’s ability to develop and deliver a comprehensive business plan that will convince the executives of a corporation that the team’s car design best meets the demands of the amateur, weekend competition market.

Engineering Design

During this event students must present their knowledge of the car and engineering concepts to a panel of judges. At most events there are multiple rounds of design, each with increasingly difficult questions and longer sessions. The first round involves all teams, and focuses on fundamental knowledge. Only the best Teams reach the Design Finals.

Autocross

Autocross tests the cars dynamic ability in a one lap sprint. Two drivers are given two attempts at the course. The objective of the autocross event is to evaluate the car’s maneuverability and handling qualities on a tight course without the hindrance of competing cars. The autocross course will combine the performance features of acceleration, braking, and cornering into one event.

Efficiency

The car’s fuel efficiency is measured in conjunction with the Endurance event. Fuel usage and lap times are combined to determine how efficiently the car uses fuel. Here, a compromise between speed and power must be found.

Endurance

The Endurance event is 22 kilometers long driven on a track similar to Autocross. Two drivers each drive half of the distance with a mandatory pit stop at the midpoint. The car must stop and start under its own power and no refueling or repairs are allowed. A team must finish Endurance in order to earn any points from Fuel Efficiency or Endurance. Consistency and reliability is key for this event.

The Spirit of Formula Student