Dear friends, dear supporters and dear fans!
We are back with a new update from the competition period of EDGE15.
FSA, here we are!
From the test track to the race track. On July 20, a large part of our team made their way to the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Styria, where the first competition of the season awaited us. Not only was it our first, but also our home competition: Formula Student Austria. For us and our EDGE15, we set off from Vienna very early that day. The early departure gave us enough time to comfortably set up and set up all the tents at the campsite near the Ring. After setting up and a quick lunch, the EDGE15 was finally unloaded to make the final preparations before the first check-ups at the camp site. As the pits are only occupied two days later, the camp site is the official event location for the first few days for all pre-inspections, driver egress and accumulator scrutineering. During the pre-inspection, the tires and the safety of the monocoque were checked, among other things. The Driver Egress is a safety check in which each of our drivers has to jump out of the car in under five seconds. This is the only way they can ultimately take part in the event as drivers. Finally, our battery was scrutinized and we were also able to complete this scrutineering without any problems.
Moving into the pits
Together with the other 57 teams, we moved into the pits at the Ring on Monday, two days after our arrival. As soon as we arrived and unloaded, the next scrutineers in the electrical and mechanical areas followed. These provide the safety framework and check every component that is important for the smooth functioning of the vehicle and the safety of our drivers. We were only allowed onto the race track if we passed these scrutineering sessions. The day ended with the official opening ceremony in the large marquee at the campsite.
Statics and technical inspections
Tuesday was filled with further checks on the car. As we had encountered a problem during our electrical scrutineering the day before, we had to repeat this again, but were also able to pass it successfully. Other acceptance tests included the rain test, tilt test and weighing the race car. The car was tested for its water resistance. In addition, a tilt test was carried out to check whether the vehicle meets the regulations for rollover stability and how much it weighs. The brake test is also part of the technical acceptance tests. However, we only took part in this one a day later, on Wednesday, and passed it successfully. While part of our team was busy with these technical inspections, other team members were preparing for the static disciplines. In the morning, we started directly with the presentations of the engineering design and the cost report, in which we took part again in the final the following day and were able to secure an amazing 3rd place.
Unfortunately, the complete production of a racing car also brings with it some challenges: some of them easy to fix and some a little more profound. Unfortunately, we encountered the latter last week and were therefore unable to compete in the dynamic disciplines, with the exception of Endurance on the final day. The long nights of hard work from our team members gave us the chance to see the EDGE15 compete in the Endurance. However, after eight good laps, we noticed a leak in the gearbox during the driver change and had to abandon this discipline as well. However, the ambition and the associated work does not stop with this setback, but only gives us even more incentive to find and fix problems.
The first Award Ceremony also took place on Wednesday evening, where we were allowed to walk on stage several times. We are very proud to report that we not only secured 3rd place in the Cost Report, but were also on the podium for every Special Award we entered!
Summarized once again
After a full week, characterized by joy, work, teamwork, but also frustration, we are happy about our successes in the static disciplines and Special Awards and are eager and motivated to fix the problems we encountered and to prove our skills and the performance of our EDGE15 at the next competitions.
Zoerkler
Zoerkler is an Austrian family business that specializes in the manufacture of high-precision parts and drive systems. The company is active in the aerospace, automotive, rail and industrial sectors and is characterized by its ability to turn an idea into a concrete product. The complex manufacturing process for all components is handled entirely in-house. The creation of the products begins with the design, followed by prototype production and tests on in-house test benches and finally ends with the series production of drive elements or the entire drive system.
In order to constantly drive innovation, Zoerkler invests heavily in research and development, always focusing on precision and efficiency. Among other things, the company produces gearboxes for helicopters, electric vehicles and drive elements for high-speed trains or the automotive sector.
For these reasons, Zoerkler is an important partner for the global industry and also the perfect partner for us. Thanks to their know-how and experience, we have many possibilities and freedom in the design of our powerful drivetrain. We would like to thank them for their generous support, especially for the production of our transmission components!
Until then!
Your TU Wien Racing
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