20.12.2008 QUT's 08 ends in lessons learned
As 2008’s campaign closes its doors on another tough year, QUT Motorsport are reflecting on the lessons learned from a trying – but no less rewarding – 2008 competition experience.
Arriving in Melbourne on the Thursday of the competition with work to do, the QUT Motorsport team worked tirelessly on their 2008 chassis from the moment it set its wheels down on the Werribee pavement, enduring several sleepless nights as the team were haunted by looming deadlines. With much to do on a problematic car, the team pulled together to ensure that the car was at least ready for the first round of events come the start of the competition – the static events, aimed at detailing the aspects of the car that would appeal to the weekend racer.
The concept of the Formula SAE competition is based around the theory of building a weekend racing car for under $25,000, and as such marks, out of 1000 are awarded in regards to cost efficiency, design excellence and a sales pitch to the car manufacturers to sell the product each university builds. At the end of the weekend, each team’s marks are calculated, combining both the static events and the following dynamic events, with the highest total score being the overall winner of the event.
While the car sat dormant amid a throng of eager M’sporters searching in vain as to why it steadfastly refused to withhold any form of fluid, the less hands-on members tackled the static events, presenting their designs and costing reports to a panel of experienced motoring gurus, including major representatives from Holden, Ford and Toyota motor companies.
While the car remained unfinished by the time the static events rolled around, the team scored well, placing within the top ten after the completion of the static rounds. A sigh of relief was breathed over completing one half of the weekend’s competition, however the battle to prepare the car for on-track running would prove to be the toughest challenge ever faced by QUT-MS.
As Saturday’s dawn broke over the University of Melbourne’s Vet School facilities, where QUT’s active crew called home for the duration of the competition, fresh faces were barely seen under the new daylight. Dark circles and copious amounts of coffee were the order of the day, and efforts remained determined in the quest to field a working car for the weekend’s dynamic events.
Over the days leading up to the start of the dynamic events, QUT had made leaps and bounds on the progress of their car – from what was effectively a half-finished chassis on the Thursday the car arrived, the team had turned it into a competitive-looking car by the Saturday, although problems were still arising as work went on. While other teams forged their way through scrutineering, QUT’s elite were still problem solving – despite the engine finally deciding to display oil pressure, the team still struggled with other aspects of the car, namely the electronic wiring and the braking system.
Saturday’s competition activities included the kick-off of the weekend dynamic events – a series of aggressive events aimed at gauging the competitiveness of each university’s entry against the clock, and each other, on motorkhana-style circuits. The entrants race around a series of cones, set up to test the cars’ acceleration, braking and cornering prowess. Divided into 3 separate events, the cars partake in a skidpan event, an autocross event (a one-lap blast around the motorkhana circuit) and an endurance event (where 2 drivers share the driving) to judge all the aspects of the cars in running order, including fuel economy.
Tireless efforts continued throughout the course of Saturday, eventually progressing through the numerous problems to have the car present at the Formula SAE competition by the afternoon. Curious faces poked into the QUT Motorsport pit as passers-by took their chance to view the mean looking black-and-white car that graced their presence. While other teams hovered for a glimpse of the sleek machinery, comments thrown around were all the same – “they’re looking really competitive.”
Despite QUT’s problematic car failing to enter the first set of dynamic events, team morale remained remarkably strong, with everyone playing their part and working impressively to strive for the car’s completion. The drivers, business team members and even the team accountant got hands on, giving their all to piece together a working car. As the team arrived at the track after another sleepless Saturday night, hopes remained sky high that the team would participate in the weekend’s final set of endurance dynamic events.
The carbon fibre bodywork gleamed in the Sunday morning sun, and the car, affectionately named “The Ozanne” after a fallen fellow QUT-MS comrade, was rolled to scrutineering for the first round of arduous tests to gauge the car’s compliance to the 2008 Competition Rules. The initial tests were conducted by members of the elite Society of Automotive Engineering governing body, who gave the car a thorough working over. Included in the scrutineering process was a driver egress test, to ensure the driver could evacuate from the car in the 5-second time frame set in the rules. The tallest of the drivers, experienced SAE pilot Cameron Short, displayed the car’s effectiveness in ejecting a driver should there be a need, and jokes were shared at the irony of Cameron’s name.
With Cameron’s job done in a lightning-fast 3.8 seconds, a small cheer emanated from the scrutineering shed, and QUT’s car was ready for the next phase of scrutineering. Having already attended to initial recommendations concerning a leaky brake line, the car’s next challenge was the tilt table, designed at ironing out and exposing any further leaks that may be found. Cameron drew the “Short” straw again, and sat in the car as it was tilted to an angle of over 65 degrees. Breath was once more restored moments later, however, as a visibly nervous Cameron joined his team mates back on the ground, having flown through the tilt table test with no leaks to be spoken of.
During this time, most other universities were competing in the first round of Sunday’s endurance events, with Germany’s Stuttgart University, Western Australia’s University of WA and Japan’s Sophia University vying for the top three spots in the competition. As it would turn out, the final positions of the competition would read just as they have above. Along with these three Formula SAE superpowers, over 25 universities from all over the country were pitted against each other, including the successful RMIT University from Melbourne and a list of internationals from New Zealand and India.
While most of the universities did battle against the clock, and each other, during the first endurance round, QUT’s car was back in the pits, the team having discovered the electronics for the gearshift needed to be amended. Along with that, the brakes were bled, and a broken clutch cable was attended to, causing reason for fraught activity as the deadline for the second round of endurance events ticked ever closer. With less than two hours before the final scrutineering test was closed, the two main drivers remained suited up and ready to go, poised to jump in as soon as the car was ready to roll.
The final test was a braking test, designed to showcase the cars stopping capacity by locking all the wheels in unison. With Cameron strapped in once again, the next milestone in QUT Motorsport’s journey was completed – the car shuttled down the test track under it’s its own power. Although a faulty master cylinder would ensure the car would not lock its rear brakes, the team were overjoyed to see car finally run under its own steam.
So back to the pits it went, and as the time continued to whittle away, the problematic car was swarmed over more furiously than ever before. With beads of sweat forming on worried faces, the team worked assiduously, even dismissing calls of calling it a day by an academic advisor in order to push on and fight for every second they could manage. It was a heroic effort by every single member of QUT’s hardworking team.
In the end, the car just made it back to the braking test, but to no avail, as the faulty master cylinder continued to prevent the car making any further progress in the competition. With the writing on the wall, “The Ozanne” was wheeled back to the trailer, a material representation of what might have been in 2008.
Although the car didn’t make it to the dynamic events, what the team learned from the troublesome 2008 experience will linger on well into 2009 and beyond. A sense of camaraderie and friendship brought the team together in its toughest hour, and though the team still felt the aftershock of losing one of their own in the freak storms that battered Queensland’s coast less than three weeks before, they fought on until the very bitter end.
With 2008’s campaign still fresh in the minds of all the members of QUT Motorsport, 2009 will see a renewed approach to the entire project. With lessons learned and a major rethink into the coming season, 2009’s campaign will see QUT assert themselves once again as one of the Formula SAE elite. University of WA would do well not to fit mirrors on their 2009 car; unless, of course, they want to see them filled with QUT’s 2009 challenger!
Bring it on!
Ash Miller
30.10.08 » QUTMS students present at 2008 Solidworks Innovation Day
On October 15th, QUT Motorsport student Managers, Elecia Douglas, John Monforte and Daniel Naylor, presented a half hour insight into how the students of the project utilise Solidworks software to create innovative designs for FSAE race vehicles.
Hosted by international company Intercad, the 2008 Solidworks Innovation Day was held to mark the release of Intercad’s newest Solidworks software. The event was staged in each capital city across Australian throughout October.
Being guest presenters, Elecia, John and Daniel gave a half hour insight into the finer workings of Solidworks and how the program allowed for students to broaden their engineering skills and prepare for employment following graduation.
Attendees at the event included key representatives from Brisbane companies who use Solidworks for their business operations. Leading executive staff from Intercad HQ in Sydney were also in attendance.
Intercad’s National Education Program Manager, Melinda Teerds, was pleased that the QUTMS students could present at the Innovation Day, to show the varied scope of projects that Solidworks is incorporated into.
"Formula SAE is a fantastic project for students to become involved with during their studies. Intercad supports all FSAE teams nationally by providing them with SolidWorks licences. The innovations of the QUT Motorsport team are a good example of how SolidWorks can help their creative visions become a reality."
Since the project’s beginnings, QUT Motorsport has utilised the Solidworks computer program for all design conceptualisation, bringing the students’ design innovations to life in 3D computer software. Solidworks even allows students to test the car systems, before they are physically manufactured.
- Elecia Douglas
20.10.08 » QUT Motorsport goes Totally Wild !
The students of QUTMS are set to become Qld’s next TV stars, following a recent film shoot with Channel Ten’s program Totally Wild.
In a joint feature with leading Brisbane Boys’ School, Churchie (Church of England Grammar School), several of QUTMS’s students were filmed at the grade 7’s All Terrain Challenge race comp as guest judges.
Initially invited to assist the year 7 students by giving a presentation on the finner workings of key car components including gears and suspension, QUTMS reps returned to scruitineer and offer race day advice to the young boys as they tested their cars in the showcase day.
Held on September 17th, the day saw 160 grade 7 students compete for glory, whilst the Totally Wild production team captured the excitement of the afternoon. Community icon and Totally Wild presenter Ranger Stacey, was also in attendance at the event to cover the story.
Involving the entire year 7 cohort of 170 students, the All Terrain Challenge was a project for the young students to build a small race vehicle that was capable of driving over a mock up four wheel drive track. The project endeavored to encompass theories learnt in maths, science and design technology.
Technical Manager and third year Mechanical Engineering Student, Daniel Naylor was pleased that the students of QUTMS could assist and pass on valuable knowledge to the younger students.
“Its great to see that our project is not just about designing and building our own FSAE vehicle – but we’re growing to include events and opportunities to be involved in the wider community. It’s a chance to pass on the knowledge of race vehicle design to younger age groups – and give something back to the community.”
With the feature to be aired within the next two months, keep your eyes peeled and ready for the program to air in late November.
- Elecia Douglas
24.08.08 » QUT Wow Loyal Partners
You could talk all you like about how quick a Formula SAE car is. You could pull out figures, display tables and graphs detailing the specs, rave about the speeds, and plough through the throngs of recorded data. But for the average human being, performance stats and numbers don’t mean much, unless they’re seen firsthand in moving, action-packed glory.
So when a collection of QUT Motorsport’s sponsors were given the opportunity to not only view the intricate racing machine in full flight but also to drive it for themselves, you wouldn’t be wrong in thinking a chance such as that would be almost impossible to resist.
For representatives of QUT-MS sponsors Mazda, Plastic Ink and Laser Central, the lure proved sufficient enough to brave mid-morning showers to attend the team’s Sponsor Drive Day, held at Willowbank Raceway.
A little rain didn’t prevent the car from running, and after a quick test run in slippery conditions to perform a system check, the team’s regular drivers displayed the potential of the ultra-quick SAE car.
“It’s a bloody quick machine!” said Laser Central’s Michael Ballard. “The guys driving that thing must be either supremely skilled or just plain mental!”
With QUT’s regulars having ‘warmed the car up’ for many countless laps, re-establishing the blurriness of the skilled/mental line in the process, it was the sponsor’s turn to put the foot down and get very close and personal with QUT’s racing apparatus. They weren’t shy either – Mazda’s star representative put the car through its paces, showing impressive speed. Questions were asked whether Mazda’s employees had considered careers as racing professionals!
Overall the day went without a hitch, with Plastic Ink’s representative having also taken a run in the QUT car, and further runs from QUT’s drivers ensured they got their money’s worth out of the petrol available.
“It was a successful day, and it was a testament to the organisational capacity of QUT’s guys that the event was so successful.”
- Ash Miller
8.07.08 » QUT Impress as RACQ Motorfest
QUT Motorsport’s well-presented team were in attendance at the ever-popular RACQ Motorfest on June 29th, showing off their 2007 car to a throng of eager motoring enthusiasts.
Held at the evergreen Eagle Farm Racecourse on Brisbane’s north side, hundreds of motorists filed through the vast array of colourful motoring examples, with QUT’s stunningly turned out machine catching the eyes and questions of countless passers by.
In amongst the world’s most famous motoring marques, QUT’s racing contraption caused a stir amongst the crowd, drawing interest and proving to be an overwhelming stimulant for curiosity. Exuding crowd-pulling charisma, QUT Motorsport’s display was scarcely without delightedly interested onlookers.
“It was a great day, and a great opportunity to interact with people and answer all the questions of the general public, who would not regularly be exposed to what we do,” said QUT’s event organiser Kerstyn Dance.
“The interest was across the board, from eager little kids to those experienced in both years and cars, and everyone went away satisfied!”
Even E-Toll’s foam-headed mascot was transfixed by the car’s magnetic attraction, and joined QUT’s team in the fun, insisting on posing for a photograph with QUT’s finest.
“It was a successful day, and we had a great time informing the public about our professional little race team.”
- Ash Miller
19.5.08 » QUT revel in 888 opportunity
When front running V8 Supercar team, TeamVodafone Triple 8 Racing, offer to open their doors for a behind the scenes preview of the state-of-the-art facilities required to run a leading race team, few would decline a viewing.
So when a select number of QUT Motorsport members were offered the unique chance to sample first-hand the way Triple 8 are run and maintained, they jumped at the prospect of perusing the workshop.
Armed with various quantities of experience in motorsport involvement, and participating in degrees ranging from engineering to business, the assembled entourage were gobsmacked at the level of engineering prowess and sheer professionalism of the team – much of which swelled heads and refreshed ideas on how to go about building the 2008 QUTMS Formula SAE chassis.
“It was incredible!” team electrical boffin Jared Cox said, “Every part of their workshop and everything they do is purely sensational!
“I think I can speak for everyone when I say we all learnt a hell of a lot, and we’re all so impressed with being able to witness first-hand the level of professionalism involved in a top-shelf racing team.”
With an abundance of fresh ideas and a whole wealth of experience with which to draw upon, QUTMS’s enthusiastic squad are all the more fired up to build a better, quicker 2008 car.
Many thanks to Mark Dutton Simon Holt and Campbell Little for the fantastic opportunity and amazing hospitality!
- Ash Miller
16.4.08 » 2007 grounds a solid 2008 Campaign
With 2008’s campaign already enthusiastically taking shape, an aura of excitement has unmistakably surrounded the team at QUT motorsport. In the wake of a successful 2007, 2008 is looking even stronger as the momentum continues to accelerate. An injection of fresh faces, new ideas and a renewed positivity has seen QUT’s motorsport’s already heftily streamlined operation become even more professional.
The 2007 season proved to be one of the toughest, as the team faced a myriad of challenges, en route to an eventual 13th place out of the 22 competing University-based Formula SAE teams from all around the nation. A string of mechanical woes prevented the competitiveness of a car already to be a proven front runner; QUT’s entry posted the third fastest time in the autocross competition, a one-lap dash similar to Indy-style one lap qualifying, but struggled in the endurance event due to a problematic engine.
However, despite the hiccups, QUT’s enlighteningly enthusiastic squad performed faultlessly – a point highlighted by the swift overnight engine change in the middle of the competition. In spite of the initial disappointment of the final places, the whole team took away a wealth of experience, showing camaraderie amongst themselves and with other teams, and learning invaluable lessons while performing under pressure. In addition to the final SAE competition, the team achieved highly in other events, such as the Australian Hillclimb Championships, where QUT’s entry posted a new record on the way to victory in their class.
With 2007’s performance still fresh in the minds of all at QUT motorsport, 2008 is looking to be a dynamite season. Watch this space!
- Ash Miller
19.9.07 » QUT Motorsport to Defend number 1 title at Hillclimb
QUT Motorsport took out top honours in the final 6 shoot-out at Round 4 of the Mt Cotton Hillclimb Series in August with the team’s fastest time of 42.81 seconds around the 946 metre track.
The team will be looking for a repeat performance on September 23 while fielding a smaller pit crew to look after the QMX3 at Round 5 of the 6 part series next weekend.
QUT Motorsport’s success during their debut year at the hillclimb series is just one way the team has continued to forge a strong reputation as a force to be reckoned with, on and off the track.
Despite younger drivers and a smaller engine capacity, the team’s 2006 Formula SAE car has continuously challenged its racing counterparts to lift their game – a credit to the engineering and design of the team’s car and talented drivers!
During the fourth round of the MG Car Club Series, both drivers Cameron Short and Rob Hackwood achieved personal best times with the track in excellent condition.
Minor modifications were made to the car during the fourth round including the removal of fans in the sidepods, which had been drawing considerable battery power, resulting in improved the airflow to the radiators and minimal impact on the car’s temperature given the short distance of the Mt Cotton track.
2007 is the first time QUT Motorsport has participated in competitive racing such as the Hillclimb Series outside the Formula-SAE competition each December.
Stay tuned for details about the Australian Hillclimb Championships November 2-4 at Mt Cotton.
27.7.07 » QUT Motorsport seeks drivers for 2007 Formula SAE Australasian Competition
Are you QUT's best Driver?
QUT Motorsport is currently scouting for QUT students who have experience in motor racing to become drivers for their team. The team enters the annual Formula SAE competition which requires the designing, fabrication and racing of a 600 cc open wheel race car.
For applications to be considered:
- Applicants must be studying at QUT (full-time or part-time, undergraduate or postgraduate) in any faculty (not necessarily engineering)
- Applicants must have experience competing as drivers in professional or high level competitions (go-kart, super-kart, Formula Ford, Formula Holden etc.)
- Applicants must be available for the Formula SAE Australasia competition in 2007 (13 December to 16 December)
- Applicants must be prepared to make themselves available for driver training and event preparation activities leading up to the Formula SAE Australasia competition.
If you are interested in becoming a driver for QUT Motorsport please send a one page application detailing your experience to bee.motorsport@qut.edu.au. Applicants are also required to put 'QUT MS Driver Application' as the subject field.
 
23.12.07 » Right On Track at the 2006 Formula SAE-A
At the recent Formula SAE Australasia competition, QUT Motorsport has pulled off another successful campaign by racing into the top 10. The team performed above expectations to claim an impressive 9th overall out of 27 universities. Highlights include 6th place in both the Autocross and Endurance events and 8th in the Sales Presentation.
Despite experiencing last-minute mechanical and electrical failures, the team responded to the challenges promptly and professionally. Once again, the competition proved to be a fantastic learning experience for all team members. It was the culmination of an exhilarating year involving hard work, long hours and outstanding dedication.
Congratulations to RMIT and University of Western Australia for raising the bar yet again. RMIT set a new record by obtaining an overall score of 959.5 points (out of a possible 1000) to lift the competition trophy.
The team would also like to take this opportunity to thank all sponsors for their generous support throughout the campaign and looks forward to working with them again in 2007. Special thanks and mention to Mazda, QUT Motorsport’s premier sponsor since their inaugural year.
This year’s result of 9th overall is a vast improvement from previous years’ placing of 13th and 17th. With three years of competition experience behind them, a pattern seems to be emerging. According to the trend, QUT Motorsport is right on track for 2007 and beyond…
16.08.06 » QUT Motorsport Social Day at Willowbank
QUT Motorsport held a social day for the members of the team as well as sponsors at Willowbank Raceway. The events of the day included five teams of six competing in two of the FSAE style events: Skid pan and Endurance in the QUT Motorsport Go-Kart.
Eventual winners were Team Blue; Ross Cole-Hunter, Scott Osborne Ben Grassick, Bradley Jones, Colin Gibbs and Adrian from sponsor Parsons Brinckerhoff.
Winners of the ride in the FSAE car were Tom Gardiner for his contributions to the construction of the 2006 car, and Ben Grassick who won due to the extra chances for team members from the winning team.
8.12.05 » QUT Motorsport Jumps Four Places in Formula SAE-A
After a year of long hard work the QUT Motorsport team's efforts have been rewarded claiming an overall 13 th position in the Formula SAE Australasia event. The team was also one of only 10 teams to complete the endurance event and placed as the 3rd most fuel efficient vehicle.
All of the team are very proud of their achievements in only their second year of competition and look forward to performing even better in the up and coming years.
The winner of the event, University of Western Australia obtained an overall score of 952 points of a possible 1000. This was the highest ever score obtained in the history of the Formula SAE competitions.
Team Manager Michael McInnes puts the QUTMS05 Vehicle through its paces in the FSAE-A Endurance event.
29.11.05 » Latest testing videos available
The latest testing videos of the 2005 car is now available. The 6 videos are available under Video and Multimedia section.
22.08.05 » Chassis '05 Construction Completed
After months of jigging, machining, cutting, grinding & welding the construction team have finalised the fabrication of the 2005 chassis. As opposed to last years design the chassis is lighter and stiffer and will run with a ground clearance of only 2cm. This is to lower the centre of gravity of the car and hence improve its overall vehicle dynamics. In the next couple of weeks the construction team is also anticipating the completion of suspension fabrication.
22.08.05 » QUT Motorsport to Conduct Testing at Brisbane Airport
Team and Marketing Managers Micheal McInnes and Matt Glass (respectively) today attended a meeting to discuss possibilities of performing the testing of the QUTMS 2005 vehicle on part of the runway at Brisbane Airport . Outcomes were all positive with the team anticipating 2 months of testing in preparation for the competition in December. "It's going to be a great place to do some testing and driver training", quotes Michael. "We were very impressed with the surface and the layout potential".
4.08.05 » Parsons Brinckerhoff Joins Team '05
Parsons Brinckerhoff, one of Australia 's leading Engineering consultancy firms, recently joined the QUT MS 05 team.
30.07.05 » Mazda Premier Sponsors for 2005
Mazda continues to show its support for QUT Motorsport, backing the team for the second year in a row and becoming the premier sponsor of the 2005 campaign. One of Australia's leading car manufacturers, the company was also the leading sponsor in the 2004 competition. |
