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22.05.2009 QUT Motorsport launches into a new era in 2009 |
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Thursday Afternoon May 21st marked an important milestone in the 2009 calendar, as the up-and-coming students of QUT Motorsport officially launched their 2009 Season.
In front of a 100 strong crowd of sponsors, industry contacts, QUT staff and friends, the team displayed a high level of professionalism, by delivering a smart presentation on summarising the troublesome year that was 2008 and providing a positive new outlook and plan for 2009.
Whilst torrential rains may have washed out any chance of the planned outdoor event complete with a car demonstration, guests were still treated to viewing the 2008 Formula Sae vehicle for the first time.
Named in the honour of late team member Davo, “The Ozanne”, with its unique and intricate design, kept a electric vibe indoors, amongst the backdrop of one of QUT’s premier facilities, the Thermodynamics Laboratory.
2009 Technical Director and final year Mechanical Engineering student, Daniel Naylor, was proud that his team was committed to regularly hosting events which bring students and sponsors together.
“The sponsors of QUT Motorsport play such an integral role in making our team a success. At the 2009 Season Launch, it was a fantastic opportunity to also acknowledge our sponsors of 2008, who, from financial contributions through to in-kind support, all aided in enhancing the education of a team of over 80 students,” said Daniel.
“In particular, a big thankyou is extended to Mazda, Plastic Ink, Parsons Brinckerhoff and Laser Central for their efforts in 2008!”
The 2009 Season Launch also played host to officially initiating the new Automotive Second Major into the QUT curriculum. The introduction of the new discipline area has begun a new era for the project, allowing for student contributions to QUT Motorsport to now shift from extracurricular commitments, to fully recognised academic credit.
The new Automotive Second Major also means a new Academic Advisor has joined the project, in Dr. Dennis De Pellegrin.
With a background in Tribology, Dennis is optimistic about the year ahead, assuring all QUT Motorsport followers that QUT Motorsport is bound for ultimate success in 2009.
“The task these students have taken on is quite remarkable,” expressed Dennis.
“In 2009, we wish to return to being a competitive force at the Formula SAE championships, whilst focussing on endlessly developing the educational opportunities available to students in this project.”
QUT Motorsport students also did not miss the chance to also showcase their designs and construction work to the elite designers and engineers of Queensland based V8 Supercar teams.
Keep one eye on upcoming events from the QUT Motorsport Business gurus – an exciting event schedule is planned ahead!! Click here to be taken to the events page.
- Elecia Douglas
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| 29.05.2009 TeamVodafone designer ignites a new passion in students |
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QUT Motorsport Seminar Series 2009: CAD and FEA Technology in Race Car Design and Development
Coming from the experienced brood of talent at Triple Eight Race Engineering, the Chief Designer and man behind the design of Australia’s elite V8 Supercars, Simon Holt, has treated the budding young engineers of QUT to a lyrical presentation on the finer (and extremely complex!) ways of designing and manufacturing a V8 Supercar.
As a special presentation in QUT Motorsport’s 2009 Seminar Series, Simon’s one hour overview held in late may, left students open mouthed and simply in awe of the heights automotive design can really take in motorsport.
With an impressive background of 21 years of experience in aerospace and military aircraft design, a stint in two Formula 1 teams, right through to his present day position at Triple Eight Race Engineering – it is accurate to say the QUT Motorsport crowd of young engineers were more than impressed by Simon’s expertise.
“I wanted to show the students proper examples of race car design. These real world examples were straight from our CAD systems at our workshop,” said Simon, reflecting on the format and content of his speech material.
Triple Eight Race Engineering, more commonly known in pit lane as TeamVodafone, have sat at the forefront of the competition throughout 2008 and 2009, setting an unequalled benchmark of performance and race winning excellence – achievements which all began in the engineering department.
“The power and control that we have at our fingertips with programs such as Inventor, enables us to obtain the accolades that we achieved in 2008,” said Simon in his presentation.
“With these software packages, I can design, test, then re-design and test again without a single component being manufactured.”
Triple Eight Race Engineering’s factory is based in the Northern Suburbs of Brisbane. In 2008, the team secured a place in V8 Supercar history, leaving the competition in their wake by taking out all prestigious award categories from the Team Championship, through to Driver’s Pole and most notably the 2008 V8 Supercar Champion being crowned in car 88 driver, Jamie Whincup.
2009 Ancillaries Team Head Ben Masters, provided some drilling questions for Simon, testing his wit and ability to provide answers for cheeky students.
“That was a great overview of everything that comes together to build a race car. It really puts everything into perspective on where our studies can actually take us,” explained Ben.
Finishing with an emotionally stirring video of the team’s amazing Bathurst Victories to the beats of ACDC, Simon’s presentation has certainly ignited a new enthusiasm and passion amongst students, who are aspiring to be automotive designers and race engineers.
Thankyou Simon!
- Elecia Douglas
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