Young engineers using TeXtreme® thrive at Hockenheim

The 2012 Formula Student Germany competitions at the Hockenheim race circuit took place 1-5 of August and resulted in double victories for TeXtreme® sponsored teams. Rennteam Stuttgart from University of Stuttgart won the overall in Formula Student Combustion and DUT Racing from Delft University won the overall in Formula Student Electric. 

TeXtreme® has been successfully used in Formula 1 for many years and for almost as long teams in Formula Student have been using TeXtreme® Spread Tow Fabrics to save weight and improve mechanical performance. This is made possible thanks to the patented TeXtreme® Technology, comprising spreading yarns into thin tapes and weaving the tapes into a fabric.

Jonas D'haen, Chief Chassis 2011-2012 of DUT Racing says “With TeXtreme® we were able to achieve a higher fiber to volume ratio resulting in a lighter chassis. “

Formula Student is the world’s largest competition for engineers, and is described on its website as:  “The competition challenges student engineers to design, build and race a single seat racing car in one year. The cars are then judged on their speed, acceleration, handling and endurance in a series of time-trial races, while the teams are tested on their design, costing and business presentation skills”  

“We see Formula Student as an important breeding ground for future innovations and we believe it is important to let young engineers learn about new materials and technologies within composites in order for the industry to continue to develop. We are proud to see the teams make good use of TeXtreme® and achieve results, both in weight savings and winning competitions.” says Henrik Blycker, CEO of Oxeon.

In the combustion competition the top three teams are using TeXtreme®. Another strong performance from TU Fast from Technical University of Munich that finished 2^nd following up their 4^th place at Formula Student UK competitions at Silverstone and also winning the acceleration event. Silverstone winners Chalmers Formula Student from Chalmers University of Technology followed up with a respectable 3^rd place. 

In the electric competition three teams among the top five are using TeXtreme®. Rennteam Stuttgart finishing 3^rd, completing their win in Combustion nicely. KIT Racing from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology got an honorable 5^th place as well as winning FSC Most Effective Use of Electronics Award. DUT Racing proved to be the strongest in the electric competition and besides the overall victory they also won the engineering design and acceleration events.  

Other notable results were Team Weingarten from University of Ravensburg-Weingarten winning the FSC autocross. Among the highlighted teams in the event “Best Use of Fiber Reinforced Plastics” are TUW Racing from Vienna University of Technology, DUT Racing and TU Fast.

Selection of teams using TeXtreme® in Formula Student 2012:

•       DUT Racing – Delft University, Netherlands

•       Rennteam Stuttgart – University of Stuttgart, Germany

•       TU Munich – Technical University Munich, Germany

•       Chalmers Formula Student - Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden

•       KIT Racing – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany

•       Team Weingarten - University of Ravensburg-Weingarten, Germany

•       TUW Racing - from Vienna University of Technology, Austria

In total there are almost 20 Formula Student teams benefitting from TeXtreme® Spread Tow carbon reinforcements worldwide.

About Formula Student
Formula Student is the most established educational motorsport competition. The competition aims to inspire and develop enterprising and innovative young engineers.  Universities from across the globe are challenged to design and build a single-seat racing car in order to compete in static and dynamic events, which demonstrate their understanding and test the performance of the vehicle. Students are to assume that a manufacturing firm has engaged them to produce a prototype car for evaluation. In addition to technical skills, students acquire management, marketing and people skills - so vital across all sectors of employment.