About FSHungary

 

The competition series - a brief introduction

 

Formula Student is a formula car competition series, which is essentially a construction contest, the emphasis being mainly on the applied techniques, technologies, teamwork and performance, and not just speed in a head-to-head race. Results are calculated from a complex point-scoring system. The task of the participating teams is to design and produce a racing car, then race with it. To achieve success, they need to organise the processes exactly the same way as if they were employees in a real firm. To simulate this, it is necessary to create a real economic, technical and legal background. Only current students in higher education may become contestants. It is important to note however, that participation is not limited to students of technical or engineering studies, as this complex task will also require expertise from other areas, such as marketing, law, finance etc.

The first contest was organised in the USA in 1981. Now, Formula Student races are held on several continents. In Europe in 2009, heats were organised in four locations. One in Silverstone in the UK, one in Hockenheim, Germany, one in Melk, Austria, and one in Fiorano in Italy. This elite circle will be widened by the Formula Student Hungary heat in Győr in 2010. Each individual competition is a completely separate world championship.

The races are organised as a part of a series of events lasting several days. The first stage is the vehicle scrutineering. Here the judges verify whether the cars comply with the technical and safety regulations set by Formula Student.

The vehicle scrutineering is followed by the “static” events, during which the teams present the car’s technical solutions, the calculated productions costs and their prepared business plan for the car. The judges assess the whole “enterprise” on how well it is organised, the professional skills applied and the practicality of the project. The prepared cost analysis must be sent to the judges before the race for their consideration. This must contain in detail the sources of car parts, prices and invoices, as well as the complete and itemised production cost assessment broken down to car component level.

The technical documentation about the design must also be sent to the judges in advance, although the greater part of the points for the planning part are not given for this documentation, but are based on many hours of conversations at the scene by the car. With their questions, the judges test the thoroughness of the planning and soundness of design decisions. The larger part of the points is to be gained on the racing course during the “dynamic” competition events. Here the prototypes compete in four different events.

On the 75-metre straight racing course, acceleration is measured; the order of the cars is formed after 4-4 sprints. On the Figure 8 course, the vehicle’s maximum cornering capability is measured. One car has to complete 2-2 laps on the two sides of the Figure 8 course. The “Autocross” or “Sprint” event is carried out on a 1km racing course, where the teams are ranked based on their lap times. They enter the main race on the basis of their results reached here. The “Endurance” event is about durability and reliability. During this event, contestants have to complete a 22km run on the “Autocross” race course, which is about 1km. Here, fuel economy, time and endurance are assessed.

Final ranking is determined by the points collected during the 3 static and 4 dynamic events. The first 3 places of each event, of the combined dynamic events and the cumulative score from all static and dynamic events will receive awards during the Award Ceremony. There are also sponsors’ special awards which are handed out to the winner of the extra events organised by the sponsors, such as best drive train, best design, best electrical system, and best suspension.

Why in Győr?

 

Zsolt Borkai Mayor Győr

Due to its robust economy and its cultural and educational strengths, the city of Győr can be proud that it plays a significant role, not only in this country, but in central and Eastern Europe. The town bears the prestigious title of ‘Gateway to the West’ with good reason, being in an excellent position within the Vienna, Budapest, Bratislava triangle to welcome its visitors.

In today’s world it is very important that an innovative, rejuvenated and active city is open to the world. Thanks to Győr’s outstanding location,it acts as an prime meeting point in Europe; a place that welcomes everyone from casual travellers to visiting guests. The excellent cultural life of the town attracts tourists from further afield. Friends of the arts and those looking for quality relaxation will find programs that appeal all year round in this festival city. From one season to the next, the streets, squares and cafe terraces are filled with visitors who come to local events such as the Four-Seasons Festival, which includes the successful Wine and Gastronomy Festival, the Hungarian Traditions Pálinka festival, Győrkőc Festival for children, or the performances of the Győr National Theatre, Ballet of Győr, and Győr Philharmonic Orchestra.

The city’s motor industry has a century-old tradition as a key centre of the Hungarian vehicle industry. Győr is the home town for the production lines of the Raba factory, which is well known at an international level, and in recent years AUDI HUNGARIA Motor Kft. has established its automotive plant in the town. Trade and the economy continue to develop dynamically, illustrated by the fact that Hungary’s largest industrial park, with 82 companies from 10 different countries, is also to be found here.

Széchenyi István University facilitates the interweaving of education and industry here, which is in fact the essence of the Formula Student
program. The University provides first-rate human resources to the city’s modern industries and the region beyond. There is an exceptional
future-focused cooperation between the town’s leadership, the University and AUDI, that plays a crucial role in the life of the city. The results of this serve as guarantee for the continued development of the town in the future. In my view, the Formula Student competition series is well-suited to the local cultural life and to helping strengthen the relationship between education and the economy. The historic town centre provides an unique environment to become the “Monte Carlo” of the Formula Student series. The Formula Student race is a fascinating attraction that will draw both the local inhabitants of the area and the participants in the series. We also expect it to attract outstanding interest on a national and international level. As the city’s Mayor, I welcomed the idea that Győr should be the host of another large-scale, international event. Furthermore, as the main patron of this program I urge you to participate in the Győr round, because Formula Student Hungary is not simply a series of races, but will become the symbolic event of motorsport.

 

 

Dr. Tamás Szekeres President Széchenyi István University Győr

Győr, as one of the key centres of the national automotive industry, has always played a central role in the economy of Hungary and the region, and at the same time the Széchenyi István University has continued its efforts to provide support and human resources for this role. The Hungarian Formula Student competition, and especially the Győr location for it, provides yet another opportunity for our University to prove our professional skills and knowledge and to demonstrate our R&D results on an ongoing basis.

This contest provides an opportunity for students visiting from various parts of the worlds, be it from the areas of technology and engineering, law or economics, that may help open the door to work experience and employment opportunities. Effective participation in the Formula Student team opens opportunities to success after successfully finishing one’s studies, and for this the requirements are thorough training and personal ambition. Formula Student also raises standards in education, which in turn will give participating students and sponsoring firms gains in terms of knowledge and measurable business profit. At the same time, good cooperation provides a solid foundation for valuable future industrial relationships. The highly practical nature of the Formula Student series complements the theoretical knowledge offered by University education. Its key element is that students live through a complex and comprehensive process regardless of whether they come from a technical, law-related or economics background.

Through the Formula Student Hungary (FSH) contest, companies are able meet skillful, motivated and committed young people. This event is
clearly an opportunity for companies and students alike to make contact and establish relationships with each other – an effective method used by employers to scout for new talent within the employment market. Businesses coming to this event can establish and further strengthen
their future ties with the young people they get to know here. I am confident that with the support of the town and university, both
of which respect and are committed to the values and goals of the competition, we can establish the foundations of a long-term event that
will serve as an essential resource for workforce recruitment.