At the Formula Student competition it is not just the fastest car that wins, but the team with the best overall performance, consisting of design, performance, financial planning and sales pitch. The performance of the participants is assessed by a panel of experts from the automotive, motorsport and supplying industries. They had to prove themselves in eight disciplines (Static disciplines: design event, cost event, presentation event; Dynamic disciplines: acceleration, skid pad, autocross, endurance and fuel consumption). The FH Köln team had prepared intensively and impressed first of all by its design concept (design team: Johannes Holl and Thyl Junker) and the construction of an outstanding chassis (Sebastian Schindler).
FH Köln (Cologne University of Applied Sciences) Motorsport team celebrates a successful premiere at the Hockenheimring
Work-filled nights and lots of sweat and passion attended the dedicated team of FH Köln Motorsport e.V. at its first participation in the 2007 Formula Student Germany Competition. In the five-day event at the Hockenheimring, the students were rewarded for their commitment and were already looking forward to the next season.
Last preparations before the start.
Excellent design.
Tilt test. Passed successfully.
Also tilt (45° to 60° inclination of the racing car without fluid loss), noise and break tests were successfully completed, thereby qualifying for the dynamic tests. Initial hurdles to be overcome included a break of the drive shaft, which was quickly repaired in no time with well-rehearsed teamwork, so that continued participation was ensured. Excellent results were achieved in the acceleration contest (ranked 23 out of 60 teams), the skin pad test (No. 19) and the fastest lap time among the newcomer teams.
So the team had earned an 11th place with unexpectedly good starting position for the final competition, the endurance contest. The Best Newcomer title was within reach, if only the good weather had not led to the boiling over of the engine. After several pit stops the overheated engine could no longer be started. An intervention by the team's engineers was not possible according to rules. The race had to be abandoned.
The team at one of the so-called static events.
Ultimately it was placed 32nd in the ranking, a placement that satisfied the team members. "There is need for improvement especially in the areas of static events (including presentation of real case, cost report and business plan)," said Bernd Laufenberg, project manager of the FH Köln Motorsport e.V. The expansion of the team in the coming season would provide more improvement.
"No doubt, we'll be participating again," reports Sebastian Schindler with satisfaction. "The teamwork was great! And the motivation for an even better performance in the coming year has increased very much by the events at the Hockenheimring. “
igus®, sponsor of the Cologne students, congratulates the entire team on this remarkable success and wishes you lots of joy and success further!
Your contact
Young Engineers Support YES +49 2203 9649 655 Your requirements?