Formula Manipal car to race in two events

The Formula Manipal car will race in two competitions namely Formula Student Germany in Hockenheimring and Formula Student Czech Republic 2013 at CzechRing.

The car was formally launched by the Chancellor of Manipal University Dr Ramdas M Pai here at the Innovation Centre at Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) on Monday.

Formula Manipal is a team of 25 interdisciplinary undergraduate students of Manipal University that conceptualise, design, fabricate, manufacture, teste and race a single seater, open wheel formula style race car and participate in events hosted by Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) across the world.

It is for the first time, Formula Manipal car is going to participate in two competitions with their latest creation, the FMX3. The first event will be held at Hockenheimring, Germany from July 30 to August 4 and the second competition will be held at the CzechRing from August 8 to11.

The challenge for the students was to design and manufacture a formula style race car with specific design and safety considerations as per the guidelines. The different cars competing at the event are evaluated on quality of design and performance.

The competitions are held in 10 different zones around the globe. More than 2000 engineering students from over 23 countries are expected to participate. Dr N Yagnesh Sharma is the faculty advisor of the team.

The team has two sub-divisions- Technical and management. The technical head of the team is Aakhilesh Singhania (third year, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engg.) and the team manager is Rishu Raj Singh (second year, Civil engg.).

The technical team is further divided into five- engine, electronics, structure, vehicle dynamics and transmission. Each subsystem works under the supervision of a subsystem head.

Started in 2007

Started with an abstract idea in 2007, a group of students formed the most popular chapter of the Formula Student phenomenon in Manipal. Since it’s inception, Formula Manipal cars have participated in competitions in Italy (2008 and 2011), UK (2009) and Austria (2010).

Improving upon last season’s design, the team has innovated and designed this year’s car with a more compact design with reduced weight and lighter bodywork. They  have used a Honda CBR 600RR engine. They have also incorporated the Drexler Differential on the car along with the pneumatic gear shift, thus giving them a serious edge at the competitions.

The team has already completed 200 kilometres of successful testing of the FMX3. They shall also be testing the FMX3 for a week in Austria with the Joanneum Racing Graz so that they can improve their performance at the international competitions.
Manipal University Pro Chancellor Dr H S Ballal and Registrar Dr G K  Prabhu were present.