Sixth edition of Formula Manipal car launched

Manipal, Jul 4: Manipal University Pro Chancellor Dr H S Ballal unveiled the sixth edition of Formula Manipal racing car FMX4' at the Innovation Centre of Manipal Institute of Technology, here, on Friday. The racing car is bound to compete in competitions at Germany and Czech Republic.

Since its inception in 2008, Formula Manipal cars have participated in competitions in Italy (2008 and 2011), the U.K. (2009), Austria (2010) and Germany and Czech Republic in 2013. The car stood second amongst all other teams in the cost report event in Germany and was the first Indian team to complete endurance test with electro pneumatic gear shifting at FS Czech Republic in 2013.

Formula Manipal is the students' team of Manipal University which participates in Formula Student events hosted by the Society of Automative Engineers (SAE) International. These events are attended by more than 4,000 students from more than 23 countries participating and showcasing their technical expertise.

At the competition, the cars are tested on several parameters including acceleration, handling, efficiency and endurance. A report on the car's design, cost effectiveness, business logic case and a business presentation is given to the judges. Each of these events is allotted a certain number of points and the points awarded are added to make the team's overall score.

This year, the Formula Manipal Team comprises 27 undergraduates from different disciplines at MIT. The 590 CC FMX4 car designed by the team weighs 237 kilograms and uses 4-2-1 exhaust system to provide better torque output.

According to Tanmya Bohra, a third year Electrical and Electronics Engineering student at MIT and Team Manager, extensive use of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) had been done to reduce the weight of the car. The car made last year weighed 258kg. “Reduction of weight helps in better acceleration of the car,” he said.

Ayush Prakash, a fourth year Mechanical Engineering student and Team leader, said that the anti-roll bar, electro-pneumatic clutching mechanism for faster gear shifting and use of rear wheel hubs integrated sub-axles had all contributed in making the car a lean machine, he said.

Faculty Adviser, Arunachala Chandavar, said: “This year, we are aiming at doing better than last time in the competitions.”

Prof. Ballal loaded the team for designing a better car than the previous ones. “Our university always supports such innovative activities,” he said.