In the last month the F0711-10 and its team travelled to the United States of America where the FSAE Michigan 2016 took place from May 11th to May 14th at the Michigan International Speedway. With more than 120 participating combustion teams FSAE Michigan is the greatest event for combustion cars. After some testing days with our friends from the Ohio State University, the F0711-10 had to show the world one last time what it is capable of. In the meantime, the car has made much more than 2000 testing kilometers, which lead to at least some more worries about the reliability of the car during the event, also regarding the unpredictable weather of Michigan. But first the team had to do the statics: In engineering design Rennteam reached the finals with nine other teams. Design finals in Michigan are unique and exhausting at the same time because the team’s knowledge about the car is tested for almost two hours with all judges asking all kinds of questions. The good thing: For the first time in this season Rennteam was able to win a design event. Our business presentation again got on the podium this time, important points for us! Cost report in the US is calculated in a different way compared to the competitions in Europe which made it even more challenging for our cost-girls. With a nearly perfect 7th place it was the best result ever for Rennteam at the FSAE Michigan event.
Dynamics started with some minor complications as we had some shifting issues at the Acceleration event. Nevertheless Rennteam finished at 14th place. In return, skid pad went really well as Rennteam set a new personal record with a combined time of 4,714s! In the next discipline, the Autocross, we abandoned the field with only TU Graz in front of us. But as usual, the big points can be made at the last day of the competition, when the endurance and fuel efficiency take place giving a maximum amount of 400 points. Finishing the endurance with a reliable car is even more important than winning those events. After a very exciting and also exhausting endurance full of racing between TU Graz, Joanneum Graz, Global Formula Racing and us, we placed second once again just behind TU Graz. In fuel efficiency we placed 6th which is a quite strong result for a four cylinder engine.
With 921.7 points Rennteam won the overall competition. Maybe it was the most important event of the season as the FSAE Michigan is considered the unofficial world championship. The team can be very proud also regarding the high level of racing in the United States! With a 1st place at the design event Rennteam won every discipline at least one time this season. We are now in second place of the world raking list which is a very important step for the F0711-11. With similar results the crown could come back to Stuttgart in summer!
Overview:
Engineering Design 1st place
Cost Analysis 7th place
Business Presentation 3rd place
Skid Pad 1st place
Acceleration 14th place
Autocross 2nd place
Endurance 2nd place
Overall 1st place!