Results

Results

Results

Story

On Tuesday 5th of September the racing team headed for the last competition of the season, the Formula SAE Italy in Balocco between Milan and Turin. About evening we arrived at the camp site where we pitched our tents for the next week. On Wednesday we had a day of rest before the beginning of the competition. On Thursday morning we were well rested and moved into our box on the extensive FIAT testing ground. The F0711-1 passed the technical approval without problems.
The next day we had a taut programme: All static disciplines as well as tilt-, brake- and noise test had to get finished and the new tyres had to be started. The first static discipline was the design report. After the bad result in Hockenheim (Germany) we had worked hard in this area. Unfortunately, we were only able to present a small part of the prepared materials, because the time was shorter than in Germany and England. At last we became eighth with 2 points more than in Germany. The Cost report ran similarly short. We finished ninth with 68 points, the optimum with our expensive car. Also at the presentation event we were able to reach more points than in Germany.
Unfortunately, the testing area was so small that starting the front wheels was not possible. The rest of the security tests were mastered by the F0711-1 as usual without problems so we had the permission to start in the dynamic disciplines on Saturday. During the skid pad we reached only moderate times in comparison to the training. Front tyres and the engine were not optimal yet. Therefore, we decided to exchange the oil and the spark plugs before the following acceleration run. With 4.39 s we were not able to reach the result of Hockenheim. We had a little problem with the gear shift. In the end we became third in skid pad and eighth in the acceleration event.
The next competition was the autocross. It was a real showdown. The two teams from Graz were inaccessible ahead of the rest. After warming up the engine we joined the competition. The first round of Tobi was quicker as the rest, but far behind the Graz teams. Again problems with the gear shift! We raised the pressure of the pneumatic system and sent Tobi to his second lap. At least, we had no more problems with the gear shift. But his time and also Michael’s first lap time wasn’t announced. The second run looked very good. However, shortly before he finished the lap, it happened: With the right front wheel Michael hits a pylon. The time: 50.625 s! Even with two penal seconds for the moment the quickest time - and ahead both Graz teams! In the last run the driver of the University of Technology of Graz drove a perfect lap under 50s. Also the FH Graz edged us out, because the pylon was only moved slightly in their quickest lap, but was not upset. However, with this third place in the autocross we can be very happy.
The endurance run was the final and deciding event. The quickest vehicles go as first on the track. It is an up and down between us and the two Graz teams. Before the first driver change we were in front.
However, at the beginning of the second turn the car had to stop after a small mistake and the engine turned off. Trembling uncertainty: “What was wrong, will he drive on?“ Then the redemption, the engine starts up and Tobi is able to continue the race. But in the fight for the first place we lost 17 seconds. More time got lost as we had to wait behind the car of the TU Graz under which pylons had got caught. In the end we become third, with less than ten points behind (of 400 accessible). And we drove the quickest racing lap.
Overall we reached the third place. After this enjoyable end of the competition season the Rennteam Uni Stuttgart thanks all sponsors and supporters. They all play a very important role for our success!