Newsflash Formula Student Austria

Dear friends, dear supporters and dear fans!

We are back with a new update from from the EDGE16 competition season.

From the workshop to the track – hello FSA!

Finally, our EDGE16 can move from the test track to the race track. On July 19, the first convoys set off for Styria to set up camp at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg. Here, the first competition of the season awaited us – our home competition: Formula Student Austria. While some team members were already busy with the initial preparations on site in Spielberg, intensive work was still underway in the hall in Vienna to get the EDGE16 ready to race.

Moving into the pits

After the EDGE16 arrived on Sunday, there was still a lot to do. Starting with an accumulator scrutineering, which was carried out on Sunday evening. After further preparatory work, the time had come: on July 21, we were able to move into the pits at the Ring with 57 other teams. Fresh on site and barely unloaded, the pre-inspection and driver egress were already waiting for us. This requires the driver to be able to exit the driving position within five seconds, and our drivers passed this test on their first attempt. During the pre-inspection, every component of the vehicle is checked to ensure reliable operation and the protection of our drivers. Only after successfully passing all inspections is it possible to participate in driving on the race track. In addition, the accumulator scrutineering, which could not be completed the day before due to lack of time, was successfully completed. We were also able to pass the mechanical and electrical scrutineering without any major difficulties.

Statics and dynamic tests

The statics took place on July 22. We started early with the cost report, as we were scheduled for the first time slot. This was followed by the business plan presentation. Once these static disciplines were completed, we moved straight on to the next challenges. This was followed by the dynamic inspections of the EDGE16 in the form of rain and tilt tests as well as weighing. We started with the tilt test, in which the car is tested for rollover stability and its weight is determined on a tilt table. We continued with the rain test, in which the car is tested for water resistance. These tests were carried out successfully. The car was then moved on to the engineering design stage, where the design decisions for the EDGE16 had to be explained and justified. A successful day came to an end with the team advancing to the business plan and engineering design finals, and with a great result. We are very proud to say that we made it onto the podium, coming fourth in the engineering design and third in the business plan.

Dynamics

Before we could start with the dynamics, we still had to do the brake test, which, like the other dynamic tests, was passed without any problems. After problems last year, we worked particularly hard on the reliability of the EDGE this season – and it paid off. We were able to compete in all dynamic disciplines and, for the first time in almost 10 years, complete the endurance race in FS Austria and pass the post-scrutineering. We were similarly successful in the other disciplines. Starting with acceleration runs with a best time of 3.37 seconds, followed by skidpad runs, where the car is tested for lateral acceleration. The car was then pushed to the autocross, where the focus is primarily on dynamics. After all disciplines, the post-scrutineering was successfully passed, proving that our vehicle not only performed well but also complied with the rules throughout the entire competition. At the end of the event, there were two award ceremonies where the successes were celebrated together with the other teams. In the overall standings, we achieved a solid 17th place. A result that motivates us and shows us that there is still room for improvement. We are eagerly awaiting Formula Student Germany in August to show once again what our EDGE16 is capable of.

Resch GmbH

In motorsport, every second counts, not only on the race track, but also in development. The production of highly complex components under extreme time pressure constantly presents us with enormous challenges. This is precisely where our partnership with Resch GmbH has proven to be invaluable.

Under their company motto “We solve the unsolvable,” the team at Resch GmbH has achieved true masterpieces for us. When it came to manufacturing critical components in the shortest possible time and with absolute precision, they stood by us as a reliable partner. Their expertise as a technology leader in prototype construction has enabled us to realize components that are at the limits of what is feasible.

A heartfelt thank you to Resch GmbH, who turn our visions into reality through their lightning-fast and outstanding quality implementation.

Until then!

Your TU Wien Racing