TBR14 TRAVELS TO EUROPE
TBR15 GETS UNDERWAY
Newsletter september 2014
Newsletter TBR14: Germany A POSTCARD FROM GERMANY
Following a decent 7th place overall at the UK competition at Silverstone a few weeks ago, myself and 21 team members drove over to Hockenheim for a go at the FS-Germany competition. The German competition is the largest and most prestigious of all the FS competitions, and almost certainly the hardest one to win. The format is mostly the same as the UK event, but importantly the electric and combustion cars are run in separate classes, unlike in the UK. Scrutineering was completed without drama, and the the inspectors were again very complimentary about the build quality, ergonomics and attention to detail. In the static events, the very pleasing 5th and 6th place results in the Cost and Business events respectively that we had achieved at Silverstone became 17th and 21st places. This has happened to us before, and whilst we were scratching our heads over this
we were delighted to hear that we had made the Design final - a rerun of the design event between the top 8 teams, eventually finishing an excellent 5th. Considering the size and quality of the opposition, this is a result to be very proud of. On to the dynamic events and 25th in Acceleration and 24th on the skid pad were the result of failing to put together consistent runs. Since the UK event we had changed tyre type to one with a harder rubber compound and stiffer sidewalls, and although the longer warm-up time worked against us on the short duration events, we felt would pay us back on the sprint and endurance races. And so it proved to be with an encouraging 9th place on the sprint despite us not having the best luck with the weather. On to the big-points endurance race, and cars were dropping out all over the place, perhaps due in part to a couple of quite severe bumps on the track. Our car was going very nicely and looking very consistent with the first driver putting in fast laps despite having to constantly slow down to avoid other cars stopped on track. Then without warning, a single lap before the halfway stop, the
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left rear wheel detached itself and went thudding into a tyre wall while the car slid to a stop resting on the brake disc. Our race was over, and having not made the halfway stop, we wouldn't qualify for the fuel consumption points either. Only 28 out of the 75 combustion cars and 13 out of the 40 electric cars managed to finish the endurance race. On later inspection, the 3 prongs of the aluminium wheel centre/hub that bolt directly to the wheel rim had broken right through, detaching from the outer carbon fibre rim. This is a component that had never given any hint of trouble before, despite extensive testing, and ironically could even have been the result of too much testing. The net result of all this was a disappointing 31st place overall, but we can take some satisfaction from having run comfortably at the front with the top teams for some of the way. Written by Dr. Kevin Robinson
September 2014
TBR14: Austria TBR BRINGS TROPHY HOME
Following on from good showings at the UK and German competitions, the team packed up the van for one last hurrah at the Formula Student Austria competition, held at the very scenic Red Bull Ring. Since the wheel centre failure in Germany, the part had been redesigned and a new set had been made in very quick time by Dave Lowman and Andrew Langley in the Mech Eng workshop. The Austrian competition is smaller than the other 2 with around 40 teams attending, almost equally split between electric and combustion cars. Like in Germany, the two classes are scored separately, although cars of both types run together on the track. Although we had fewer competitors this time, it was the weaker teams that were missing, so the competition was just as strong at the front of the field. On the first morning, things started badly. Team leader Dave Turton had managed to pick up a bug on the drive down to Austria, and he fainted whilst queueing at the campsite, gashing his head as he fell. An ambulance was called, the wound was stitched up and Dave was given the all clear. Back at the
Red Bull Ring the team were progressing through scrutineering with relative ease. The following day it was time for the "static" events - A very respectable 5th in Design and 6th in Costing, followed by an excellent 4th in the Business event. Onto the dynamic events and a similar pattern of results followed - we managed 4th in acceleration, 3rd (and a trophy) on the skidpad, and 7th on the sprint. When our time came for endurance, light rain was falling, but we elected to go out on slick tyres and the first driver justified this decision by putting in fast, consistent laps. The halfway stop came and went with a well-rehearsed driver swap and more steady laps from the second driver earned us an excellent 4th place on the endurance race. The endurance race starts with a full tank of fuel, and after it finishes, the marshals refuel the car and measure how much was used. Unfortunately, they made a mistake and refuelled our car before they had weighed their refuelling can, and were therefore unable to measure our fuel usage. The points we received had to be based on an estimate, and we think we were
short-changed, based on figures from previous events and other cars. However, nothing could be done. Anyway, with a strong all round performance, the team were happy and began its celebrations at the awards ceremony. Nobody seemed to mind the pouring rain, and if anything it just made the fine Austrian beer taste all the better. A 5th place was the overall result, but 2nd to 6th places ranged from 734 to 709 points, with us 5th on 715 and the 4th placed team on 717 points - once again we had fallen just the wrong side of a small margin. In conclusion, we have had a very strong team and a good campaign this year. I believe the team have designed and built the best and fastest car ever to wear the Bath badge and they have achieved some excellent results. This is all the more impressive as the competition is getting harder and harder each year. Written by Dr. Kevin Robinson
Newsletter Farewell TBR14 As the 2014 season comes to an end at Team Bath Racing, we say goodbye to the team who built TBR14 and relive the
success that they have achieved over the past 18 months. Many of our 2014 team members have already
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secured impressive graduate jobs, and from all at Team Bath Racing, we wish you much success in your future careers.
September 2014
Welcome TBR15
TBR15 AT the department exhibition August and September marks the transition period between teams at Team Bath Racing, with the 2015 team now taking over from TBR14. The next couple of months will comprise the sourcing and recruitment of new spon-
A sneak peak of tbr15
sors, adjusting and finalising designs to meet with the 2015 rule changes and beginning testing procedures on TBR14. Having already received some feedback from Formula Student UK, highly praising the presented designs, the
2015 team is ready to hit the ground running, attempting to improve on the success of TBR14. Tom Peirson-Smith, 2015 Project Manager
Newsletter TBR15 Summer Work CHANGES IN THE TBR BUILDROOM will be kept and mainAfter the 2014 Summer events, TBR15 has officially been instated as Team Bath Racing’s main team. This is the first chance for the 2015 team to stamp their mark on Team Bath Racing, by reorganising the TBR buildroom and mezzanine work area. New for 2015 is a dedicated test area, where the 2014 car
TBR VISIT MCLAREN
Members of the 2015 team spent a sunny afternoon on August 30th at the McLaren Employees Motorshow, showing off TBR14 as a static display. As well as Formula Student teams from Oxford Brookes and Brunel, the event played host to an eclectic collection of TVR’s, American muscle cars, classic cars and modern supercars, alongside the huge
tained for year-long testing. This area comprises all of the kit required to get the car up and running, as well as the necessary equiptment to ensure safe testing of the car. In addition to the test area, there is the 2015 car build space, which will see the assembly of this years car over the next 10 months, and newly organised Dyno, Composite, Storage and Manufacturing Rooms. The mezzanine level also sees a new layout, creating a sense of a collection of McLaren’s own race and road cars. This was a great opportunity for members of the team to chat to fellow car enthusiasts, introducing them to the world of Formula Student and explaining how our car is produced. Amongst the impressive hoarde of race cars was also a realistic racing simulator, with the prize of a weekend pass to any Donnington Racetrack
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larger space, despite housing an increased number of workspaces. This allows nearly all 26 members to have a permanent desk throughout the year. The new workspace should allow TBR15 to work more effectively and produce a complete car in record time. Written by Tom Stevens event for the holder of the fastest lap. Despite their best efforts, both Ryan Marsh and WIll Charles of TBR15 could only manage 2nd and 3rd place respectively - not bad considering the vast quantity of partakers! The event was a great day out for the team and one at which TBR hopes to become a regular part of. Written by Tom Stevens
September 2014
TBR15 Summer Work 2015 RULES ANNOUNCED
The final days of August mark the typical release date of the rules for the upcoming year, with the 2015 rules ensuring some tears as well as smiles. Of the 2015 rules, the most significant change that affects the design of the powertrain unit is the allowable use of throttle-by-wire. This will allow the team to explore new techniques to give better drivability, particularly during downshifts. Further rules changes that have affected our design less significantly are the prohibition of recirculation valves for
CYTEC CONTINUE TBR SUPPORT
Team Bath Racing are pleased to announced the renewed support from major partner Cytec. The long standing partnership between Team Bath Racing and Cytec allows the team to build a sophisticated, carbon fibre monocoque, reducing the overall weight of the car. This year is no exception, with Cytec again supplying a large quantity of high quality, pre-preg carbon fibre, in a range of stiffnesses. The newly supplied carbon fibre has recently been used in the mandatory SES testing for the competition, showing superior values of flexural and
turbo compressors, and limiting the position of the intercooler and plenum to be downstream of the throttle body. These present some interesting challenges with a turbocharged setup, which TBR15 are working on, to get a powerful and efficient powertrain package. Initial dyno testing is expected to start before the new semester commences. The new rules for the 2015 FSAE season will also really shake up the aerodynamics across the grid. With the introduction of tighter aero 'boxes', a complete re-design is in shear strength compared to TBR14. The result of the tests mean that the 2015 monocoque can be constructed using a fewer number of carbon fibre ply’s, due to the increased stiffness of the carbon fibre, resulting in an estimated weight saving of 3-4kg on 2014. As well as the car’s monocoque, many other aspects of the car are produced from this carbon fibre, including the wheel rims, the driver’s firewall and the steering wheel. Team Bath Racing would like
order for Team Bath Racing. The rear wing is now limited by the inside of the rear tyres (before by the outside of the widest tyres), greatly reducing size. The front wing will also be reduced in size, though not to the same extent, with an exclusion zone in front of the upper half of the tyre. With these new rules, a well designed floor will be crucial to maximising aerodynamic downforce in addition to front and rear wings. Written by James Mady and Will Charles
TBR15 AT CYTEC
to thank Cytec for their continued support, without whom, the Team Bath Racing car would not be possible. Written by Kevin Johnson
Newsletter
September 2014
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