2013 FSAE-Australasia

[Sim]

'Tis the season for FSAE-A! How is everyone going?

[MCoach]

16 thousand km away and can't wait for it to start!

[Pat Clarke]

For the first time since its inception, I will not be attending FSAEA.

I will be far away in Moscow attending a conference called to start Formula Student of the Russian Federation.

So I wish all the teams good luck, good health and good fun.

Regards to all

Pat

[JSR]

Is there any way of following the comp?

[Sim]

I haven't heard of any online broadcasts of the commentary this year, but for old-fashioned style updates I'd suggest the FSAE Australasia facebook page and the various team twitter accounts.

[Z]

After trawling all of the world's gutters in pursuit of the most ethically bereft correspondent they could find, Planet-Zed-Publications are most delighted to announce their newest cub-reporter. Yes indeed, yours truly, Z!, will be delivering to you, the wider FSAE world, all the rumour, gossip, and innuendo coming from the hottest comp in town, this year's FSAE-Oz 2013! (And no, an "innuendo" is NOT an Italian suppository...)

Rest assured, dear reader, that we will not let any facts get in the way of our mission, and certainly no truth will be left untrampled, as we bring you the glamour, the gloss, the drama, and indeed (and as always) the sleaze, the squalour, and the back-stabbing, that must always be at the heart of events such as this. (After all, sigh..., how else can we media moguls sell, sell, sell!!!)

Or, put another way, much of what follows may be BS.
~~~~~o0o~~~~~

So, without further ado, we introduce...

THE CONTENDERS.
=================

After an extensive survey of all parameters, and an intensive analysis of such, taken over all of the competitors (ie. I asked each team to guess...), the following teams seem most likely to be on Sunday's podium.

#66 - Monash University (Oz).
======================
Wheels and Tyres - 10" Hoosiers.
Engine - KTM 450 single, turboed, 60 hp (at wheels), on fuel = e85.
Drivetrain - Pneumatic shift g'box in engine, chain to Drexler diff, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - Mild-steel spaceframe + CF panels.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, direct-acting spring-dampers (ie. NO PUSH/PULLRODS), machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - MEGA!!! F&R wings + undertray with sliding skirts, all acting direct to uprights (= "unsprung").
Mass - 200 kg wet.
Testing - ~500 km from 13 August.

Team aiming for - "Top 3", with estimated SP = 4.7+, Acc = 4.5.
Mission Statement (overall) - "To be the most respected team in the world."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Maximum aero!"
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... we designed the Melbourne chassis that recently won an award...")

#47 - University of Auckland (NZ).
=========================
Wheels and Tyres - 10" Hoosiers.
Engine - Yamaha WR 450 single, 50 hp (at sprocket), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to spool, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - CF honeycomb.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, all pullrod to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - Yes! F&R wings direct to uprights (err, I think?), predicted "drive-on-ceiling" speed = ~120kph.
Mass - 175 kg wet.
Testing - First drive in July, then 400+ km from September.

Team aiming for - "Top 3", with estimated SP = <4.8, Acc = ~4.3+.
Mission Statement (overall) - "Simple, light, fast."
Design Philosophy (for car) - As above.
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... U of Canterbury [another NZ car] is looking good...")

*** The above two are almost equal favourites amongst their peers. The following got regular mentions... ***

#14 - Curtin University (Oz).
======================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Engine - Honda CBR 600 four, ~80 hp (at wheels), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to Drexler diff, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - CrMo spaceframe.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, pull-front, push-rear to spring-dampers, EDM'd aluminium uprights.
Aero - Big! F&R wings direct to uprights.
Mass - 280 kg wet. (Yep, I'm sure they said "two-eighty"...)
Testing - ~10 x Enduros (including one 50 minute non-stop by one driver!), from 30 October.

Team aiming for - "5th, err... +/- 2", with estimated SP = 5.1, Acc = 4.05.
Mission Statement (overall) - "FSG-2015!"
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Maximum Return (= points) on Investment (= effort)"
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... Monash have been stealing our aero designs for years ...")

#10 - University of Wollongong (Oz).
===========================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Engine - Honda CBR 600 four, 78 hp (at sprocket), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to spool, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - CrMo spaceframe + CF panels.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, all pullrods to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - F&R wings chassis mounted (= "sprung").
Mass - 195 kg wet.
Testing - "starting soon...".

Team aiming for - "Top 10", with estimated SP = 4.9?, Acc = 4.1?.
Mission Statement (overall) - "Design it. Build it. Test it. Break it."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Simple and reliable."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... U of Queensland stole our pushbar design ...")

#101 - University of Melbourne (Oz).
===========================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Engine - Honda CBR 600 four, 80 hp (at sprocket), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to Kaaz clutch-pack LSD (off Mazda MX-5), conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - Mild-steel spaceframe + CF panels.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, push-front, pull-rear to spring-dampers, folded 4130 sheet uprights.
Aero - None.
Mass - 230 kg wet.
Testing - ~150 km from 17 November.

Team aiming for - "Top 3", with estimated SP = <5.0, Acc = <4.4.
Mission Statement (overall) - "Finish Endurance event! (ie. be more reliable than before...)."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Car that is easy to drive fast."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... RMIT are up themselves ...")
~~~~~o0o~~~~~

*** These following teams also got occasional mentions, so are the "smokies", or "dark horses". Who knows???. ***

THE PRETENDERS.
=================

#12 - RMIT (Oz).
====================
Wheels and Tyres - 10" Hoosiers.
Engine - Yamaha Phazer 500 twin?, 80 hp (at crank), on e85.
Drivetrain - G'box behind engine, chain to Kaaz LSD, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - CF honeycomb.
Suspension - CF double-wishbone, all pushrods to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - None.
Mass - 184 kg wet.
Testing - 250+ km (and 250 km on dyno) from 21 October.

Team aiming for - "Top 3", with estimated SP = 5.1, Acc = 4.2.
Mission Statement (overall) - "To have well tested car ... and then do more testing..."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Minimum weight, with components on-the-limit."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... RMIT-Electric stole our whole design!...")

#22 - University of Sydney (Oz).
========================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Engine - Aprilia 550 V-twin, 61 hp (at wheels), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to Drexler diff., conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - Mild-steel spaceframe.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, all pushrods to spring-dampers, machined and welded aluminium uprights (= hollow).
Aero - None.
Mass - <185 kg wet.
Testing - 15+ hrs from July (second year chassis).

Team aiming for - "Top 3", with estimated SP = <4.9, Acc = ?.
Mission Statement (overall) - As below.
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Maximum performance while still reliable."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... Monash have stolen our shifter design...")

#2 - University of Western Australia (Oz).
==============================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Goodyear (left over from last year).
Engine - Honda CBR 600 four, turboed (Edit: <-NOT turboed!! ...sleepy-head...), 80 hp (at sprocket), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to Kaaz LSD, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - CrMo spaceframe + CF panels.
Suspension - "Aerobeam" with "diamond-springing", aluminium Citroen-2CV-style front upright, steel rear upright.
Aero - Large undertray integrated with suspension beams.
Mass - 230 kg wet.
Testing - <1 hour.

Team aiming for - "Top 10", with estimated SP = ?, Acc = ?.
Mission Statement (overall) - "To allow CLEAN SHEET DESIGN each year."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Manufacturability suitable for team's limited in-shop resources."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... Scott wears dresses ...")

#21 - Tokyo Denki (Japan).
====================
Wheels and Tyres - 10" Hoosiers.
Engine - Honda CRF 450 single, 45 hp (at sprocket), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to cam&pawl diff, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - CrMo spaceframe.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, pull-front, push-rear to spring-dampers, folded 4130 sheet uprights.
Aero - None.
Mass - 170 kg wet.
Testing - ~700 km from September.

Team aiming for - "First!", with estimated SP = 5.0, Acc = 4.4.
Mission Statement (overall) - "Aim for top!"
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Light and agile."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... Japanese are too polite to slander anyone! ...")

#13 - University of Canterbury (NZ).
===========================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Engine - Yamaha R6 600 four, 78hp (at sprocket), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to Audi torsen diff, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - Mild-steel? spaceframe.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, pull-front, push-rear to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - Undertray only, chassis mounted.
Mass - 260 kg wet.
Testing - ~20 hours from August.

Team aiming for - "8th?", with estimated SP = ?, Acc = ?.
Mission Statement (overall) - "We are a first year team, so aim to finish and get maximum experience."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Conservative design, with attention to detail."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... Auckland are Jaffas! ...")
~~~~~o0o~~~~~

*** STOP PRESS!!! *** Fresh off the rumour-mill:

Edith Cowan University, last year's 2nd place here, have withdrawn from Oz-2013. Some say they are keeping their powder dry for an assault on Europe in 2014. Others say they were trying to develop a bespoke, integrated 2-speed-gearbox-and-diff, and stuffed up, so are not ready. (I mean, who in their right mind would suggest building a 2-speed-box? Geez!!!)
~~~~~o0o~~~~~

Eyes are now getting very blurry. The "Mid-to-tail-ender" teams tomorrow. Stay tuned. Do not adjust your browser-bar thingy......

Z

[Big Bird]

From behind the shelter shed, a whispering of a rumour of a translation of the gossip of the team who are too polite to slander anyone...
"RMIT stole our design. We lent it to very tall yellow bird eleven years ago, not given back. Please return. Respectfully yours, gambatte, TDU"

[Z]

Dawn breaks for another cool but sunny day at Werribee. (Well, dawn was several hours ago, but your faithful correspondent is a slow starter...) "Scattered showers" predicted for Saturday and Sunday, which in Oz can mean anything.

As promised, here are more of the vital stats for ...

THE MID-TO-TAIL-ENDERS
============================

These are roughly in order of their "vibe" (ie. potential placing), or else their team number...

#41 - University of Queensland (Oz).
===========================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Engine - Honda CBR 600 four, 60 hp (at wheels), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to spool, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - Mild-steel spaceframe.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, all pushrods to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - None.
Mass - 228 kg wet.
Testing - ~17 hours from mid-September.

Team aiming for - "Top 5", with estimated SP = ?, Acc = ~4.1.
Mission Statement (overall) - "Rip, Skids, and Fun!!!"
Design Philosophy (for car) - As above.
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... 'Gong copied our pushbar! ...")

#25 - University of Waikato (NZ).
===========================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Engine - Suzuki GSR 600 four, 83 hp (at wheels), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to U-special torsen diff, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - Mild-steel spaceframe.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, all pushrods to spring-dampers, folded mild-steel (1.6 mm) uprights.
Aero - Undertray and streamlined upper body.
Mass - 240 kg wet.
Testing - ~30 hours from September.

Team aiming for - "5th", with estimated SP = 5.2, Acc = faster than last year.
Mission Statement (overall) - "To improve placing."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Reliable, simple, finish."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... Auckland will beat Monash ...")

#8 - University of Adelaide (Oz).
===========================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Engine - Yamaha R6 600 four, <80 hp (at wheels), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to old-style Drexler, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - Mild-steel spaceframe + CF panels.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, push-front, pull-rear to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - F&R wings, chassis mounted.
Mass - 240 kg wet.
Testing - ~13 hours on second year chassis.

Team aiming for - "5th?", with estimated SP = ? (no space to test), Acc = 4.1.
Mission Statement (overall) - "Transfer knowledge, gain practical experience, develop problem solving methodology."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Fast, reliable, adjustable, cheap, safe, fuel-efficient."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... we have nothing bad to say about anyone ...") (Adelaide is known as the "City of Churches".)

#15 - University of NSW Canberra - ADFA (Oz).
===================================
Wheels and Tyres - 10" Hoosiers.
Engine - Yamaha WR 450 single, 40 hp (at wheels), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to Drexler diff, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - CrMo spaceframe.
Suspension - Beam-Axles front and rear with direct-acting spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - None.
Mass - 195 kg wet.
Testing - ~300m from this morning.

Team aiming for - "Top 15", with estimated SP = ?, Acc = ?.
Mission Statement (overall) - "We are a mostly a new team, so aim to get experience."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Simple, reliable, and not worried about weight."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... wings are a gimmick ...")

#16 - University of South Australia (Oz).
==============================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Engine - Honda CBR 600 four, 90 hp (at crank), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to spool diff, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - CrMo spaceframe.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, pull-front, push-rear to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - None.
Mass - 234 kg wet.
Testing - ~10 hours from mid-November.

Team aiming for - "Top 10", with estimated SP = ?, Acc = <4.2.
Mission Statement (overall) - "Gain experience for next year."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Simple car that finishes."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... we would like to say bad things about Monash, but they are TOO NICE! ...")

#30 - University of Warwick (UK).
===========================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Avons.
Engine - KTM 525 single with longitudinal crank, 40 hp (at wheels), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, longitudinal shaft to behind axle, then chain to Suzuki-quadbike bevel-gear cam&pawl diff, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - Mild-steel spaceframe, with bamboo composite floor and body panels.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, pull-front, push-rear to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - None.
Mass - 210 kg dry.
Testing - Only 10 kms from June, because caught fire at FSUK...

Team aiming for - "Top UK team" (wanted to be top Northern hemisphere team, but Tokyo here!), with estimated SP = ?, Acc = ?.
Mission Statement (overall) - "Who Dares, Runs!"
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Reliable, serviceable, and SUSTAINABLE racecar."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... we polite Brits think that all the other teams are really wonderful ...")

#59 - University of Technology Sydney (Oz).
================================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Engine - Yamaha R6 600 four, 70+ hp (at wheels), on fuel = e85.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to spool diff, conventional driveshafts.
Chassis - CrMo spaceframe.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, all pushrod to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - Undertray only.
Mass - 220 kg wet.
Testing - 20+ hours from early-October.

Team aiming for - "Top 10", with estimated SP = ?, Acc = ~4.4.
Mission Statement (overall) - "I Luv U Guys!"
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Simple, reliable, manufacturable, lightweight."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... see Mission Statement ...")

#63 - University of NSW (Oz).
===========================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Avons.
Engine - Aprilia 550 V-twin, 58 hp (at wheels), on fuel = 98.
Drivetrain - G'box in engine, chain to spool diff, tubular aluminium driveshafts with GFRP-flexplate CVs.
Chassis - Aluminium honeycomb tub (sides 30 mm thick, 0.5 mm skins).
Suspension - Aluminium double-wishbone, push-front, pull-rear to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - None.
Mass - 166 kg wet.
Testing - ~5 hours from late November.

Team aiming for - "Top 5", with estimated SP = ?, Acc = ~4.1.
Mission Statement (overall) - "Integrate our existing knowledge into a fast racecar package."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Lightweight, agile car."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... nothing bad to say about anyone ...")
~~~~~o0o~~~~~

More coming ... can't fit it all in ...

Z

[Z]

Letter from Werribee - Friday (2)
=====================

And finally the E-cars,

THE DEAD-ENDERS.
========================

(Yes, yes, there definitely is editorial bias here at Planet-Zed.)

#E17 - Swinburne University of Technology (Oz).
===================================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Motor(s) - 2 x Brushless DC (BLDC), 85 kW total (Max!!!), 450 V, 2 x 80 A, ~7 kWh battery pack.
Drivetrain - 2 x chains to conventional driveshafts, "E-diff" with experimental-only Torque-Vectoring.
Chassis - CF honeycomb tub + spaceframe rear.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, all pushrods to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - F&R wings mounted to uprights.
Mass - 330 kg.
Testing - ~20 hours from 2 weeks ago.

Team aiming for - "1st Electric, Top 10 overall", with estimated SP = 5.0, Acc = ?.
Mission Statement (overall) - "Build a team, to build a car."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Car with the lot!"
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... we hate Delft! (set too high standard) ...")

#E20 - University of Western Australia (Oz).
=================================
Wheels and Tyres - 13" Hoosiers.
Motor(s) - 2 x BLDC, 15 kW each (constant), 52 V, 400 A, 8 kWh battery.
Drivetrain - 2 x chains to conventional driveshafts, "E-diff" with no TV.
Chassis - Mild-steel spaceframe.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, all pullrods to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - None.
Mass - 280 kg.
Testing - ~4 months, but many problems.

Team aiming for - "Top 3 EV", with estimated SP = ?, Acc = ?.
Mission Statement (overall) - "To learn and make progress towards 4WD."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Aimed for 4WD, but not to be..."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... all the other teams have too much money! ...")

#E88 - RMIT Electric (Oz).
=====================
Wheels and Tyres - 10" Hoosiers.
Motors - 2 x BLDC, 60 kW total, 110 V, 350 A, 4.4 kWh battery (= 30 x Li-ion).
Drivetrain - 2 x chains to conventional driveshafts, "E-diff" with equal torque, no TV.
Chassis - CF honeycomb tub + spaceframe rear.
Suspension - Double-wishbone, all pushrods to spring-dampers, machined aluminium uprights.
Aero - Streamlined (low-drag) body.
Mass - 258 kg.
Testing - ~85 km from early November.

Team aiming for - "Top 10 overall", with estimated SP = 5.2, Acc = <5.0.
Mission Statement (overall) - "Mostly new team, so aim to finish and learn."
Design Philosophy (for car) - "Reliability."
(Don't tell anyone, but... - "... Swinburne copied our E-diff ...")
~~~~~o0o~~~~~

Still a few latecomers to report on, and then all the (very bloody ) critical analysis will start.

But as a bottom line for this letter, there is one standout feature that separates the "Contenders" from the rest of the pack. It has nothing to do with engine type, or chassis, or suspension type, or other such technical details. Rather, it is the immediacy with which the top teams can state their overall team "Mission Statement" and "Design Philosophy" for their car. These are short, clear, statements of the direction that the team has chosen to head. (Note to many Big Corporations; a "Mission Statement" that fills most of a page, and includes every currently fashionable buzz-phrase, does NOT work!).

It is interesting to note that one of the Tail-Ender teams honestly thought that their Mission Statement was "Put Tools Away Before Leaving the Workshop" ("Hey, that's the big message on the wall!")

Z

[Pennyman]

On Z's Christmas list this year: a camera.