The team came third place out of 90
A University of Portsmouth electric racing team, UPRacing EV, produced an outstanding performance to place third out of over 90 teams in the international Formula Student competition.
Following their overall win in the Class 2 (Concept Class) section in 2019, the UPRacing Electric team competed in the Class 1 competition for the first time this year. The team took part in simulated race events with a virtual driver in addition to presenting on the business case, design and costing of the vehicle.
Now in its 22nd year, Formula Student is Europe’s most established educational engineering competition, run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. It challenges students to use their technical skills and knowledge to design, budget, build and race vehicles in a series of events. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, this was held as an entirely online event, with teams from all over the world, including Nigeria, Bangladesh and Egypt.
The team scored perfectly on two events - Business Plan Presentation and Cost and Manufacturing Presentation - with 120 out of a possible 120 points scored on each.
It's a fantastic project that is building momentum and support, and I think within a few years we’ll really be a top team.
The Craig Dawson Most Valuable Team Member award, as voted by all competitors, also went to Callum Lowery of the UPRacing EV team.
Oli Plucknett, Team Leader UPRacing EV (Class 1), said: “I recommend Formula Student to anyone that's joining the University of Portsmouth. It's a fantastic project that is building momentum and support, and I think within a few years we’ll really be a top team.
“I want to thank our sponsors and all the team members - they’re a remarkable lot and the single most motivated group of individuals I’ve ever met. We started the first year as a group of individuals that worked well together, and I think we've left as a team. I couldn't have asked for a better team to have worked with.”
Head of the School of Energy and Electronic Engineering, Professor Peter Kyberd, said: “This is a terrific win, not just for the Faculty of Technology but the entire University. It shows off the quality and dedication of our students. It will surely contribute to attracting more students choosing us during this Clearing session and in the future.”
The success was also notable as it was the highest placing of an electric vehicle so far, with the team’s submission using battery power rather than an internal combustion engine. The University’s commitment and support of renewable energy, including our new Electrical and Renewable Energy Engineering course, means we hope to build on this success in the coming years.
This is a terrific win, not just for the Faculty of Technology but the entire University.
Dr Amitava Roy, Senior Lecturer, Renewable Energy Systems, said: "I am absolutely thrilled by the success of the team, who worked incredibly hard over the past 10 months to make this happen. They have the agility and adaptability to any challenging situation. Everybody gelled so well as a team while putting so much attention to detail. My very best wishes to all the team members for their careers and future endeavours.”
The University also submitted a Class 2 (Concept Class) team, who placed fifth overall in their category.
Ethan Popham, Team Leader UPRacing EV (Class 2), said: “This year's competition has been a completely different and exciting challenge, one that inspired a whole new way of working across the team.
“The most rewarding part of this year was working with each member of the team to develop our confidence and skills which will give everyone a step up into industry. I’m extremely proud of everyone’s hard work throughout this year and we now look forward to advancing into 2021 to hopefully build on the team's successes.”