What is it?
Basic information
Formula Student is a competition where students from technical universities around the world test their skills in designing, constructing, and racing formula-style cars. It is a prestigious competition that began in 1981 as Formula SAEin the United States, and its European version has existed since 1998. Competitions are also held in Japan, Australia, and Brazil. Each year, 12 events take place worldwide, with over 500 teams participating globally. Teams compete in two categories, which are combustion engine formulas and electric formulas.
What is the goal?
The goal is to build a race car that is powerful, controllable, reliable, and safe, while also being aesthetic, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective, all according to the applicable rules. The challenge, as defined by the regulations, is to design a car that meets these requirements as well as possible. At the end, each car is compared with competitors’ designs, and only the best may reach “series production”. The potential customer is a weekend amateur racer. Each team raises its own resources for building the car.
Who wins?
The winning team is determined based on a points system across all disciplines, with a maximum of 1000 points.
Rules?
The competition is governed by two sets of regulations: FSG (Europe) and FSAE (rest of the world). The event also includes technical inspections, where teams must prove that the car meets all rules, especially regarding safety.
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Competition process
Racing disciplines
- Technical Scrutineering
Technical and Safety Scrutineering
Checks that the car complies with all rules and verifies drivers.
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A)
Static disciplines
Design (150 points)
Judges evaluate the car’s design and engineering maturity, supported by calculations and simulations.
Cost and Manufacturing (100 bodů)
Judges assess the cost of the car and the accuracy of cost calculations for series production.
Business Presentation (75 bodů)
Teams defend a business plan for series production of the prototype car to a panel representing a fictional company.
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B)
Dynamic disciplines
Skid Pad (50 points)
Driving in a figure-eight pattern, evaluating chassis quality.
Acceleration - 75 m (75 points)
Car acceleration from a standing start over 75 m.
Autocross (150 points)
Driving on a technical track, evaluating handling, acceleration, and braking; also a qualifier for Endurance.
Endurance (300 points)
A 22 km endurance race, requiring driver changes halfway. Tests all car systems, functionality, and reliability, as well as fuel consumption.
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Competition
Racing categories
Category C - combustion
The combustion category is the oldest, established when the competition began. According to the latest FS Germany rules, this category is no longer included from 2023.
Formula TU Ostrava still competes in this category.
Category E – electric
Since 2010, electric formulas have participated in Formula Student. This category has driven significant technological development in batteries and electric drivetrains. Many innovations used today in industry and motorsport were first developed by Formula Student teams.
CategoryDV - driverless
The driverless category was introduced in 2017. Unlike the electric category, it focuses on autonomous vehicle systems. The best driverless teams are approaching the performance of combustion and electric teams.
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Why do we do this?
Our vision and goal
Participation in international competitions is a great showcase for the university and also promotes the teams’ sponsors, who often employ participating students after graduation or even during their studies.
Eight departments of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at VSB-TU Ostrava have joined forces to support students in developing the team’s second prototype of the student formula car.