The Madras Motor Race Track in Chennai was host to a different kind of race as over 2,000 engineering students from across the country battled it out at the third edition of the SUPRA SAE Student Formula 2014.
The three-day event, which concluded on Sunday, provides a platform for college students across India to build a prototype formula type race car. The event tests aspiring engineers on their manufacturing experience and automotive design skills.
The event is adjudicated by members of the Society of Automotive Engineers, Maruti Suzuki — who are the title sponsors — and other industry experts.
K Krishnamoorthy, Head of the technical committee, who has over 45 years of experience in the automotive industry oversaw the scrutiny tests the cars were put through. “Various parameters such as build quality, weld quality, seatbelt positioning, fire-resistant driving suits, shoes, gloves, helmets, etc are tested to ensure safety of the participants.”
The event attracted 183 entries from across the country and the competition was eliminated to 87 teams based on various critical parameters, for the three-day event.
The 87 prototype formula cars were also subjected to various other tests such as noise, brakes and endurance.
“The teams must nominate a driver who will be required to drive the car around the track for five laps which will test the ability of the vehicle,” said SAE India deputy Director General, K Shriramachandran.
Two all-girls teams participated in the event, debunking the myth that automotive competitions are only for boys. Jayashree, captain of the team from the Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, said: “It all started with building a team, having a vision of doing something together and it has been an amazing journey for us to put theoretical knowledge into practical use.” The other all-girls’ team was Cummins College for Engineering, Pune.
Chennai representationSai Ram Engineering College and SRM University were the sole representatives from Chennai. SRM bagged top honours for the second consecutive year as the Chennai team breezed through all the scrutiny tests. The team sourced their engine from a KTM 390 motorcycle and sourced some parts for the vehicle from Germany and the US. Camber Racing, as the team is known, also bagged the Fuel Economy Award.