They design and build a car from scratch. Students getting ready for world competitions | Gdańsk University of Technology

For several years now they have been designing and building cars from scratch, then testing them, all in order to be able to race against teams of students from around the world at the Formula Student engineering competition. Now students from the PGRacing Team are working on a vehicle with which they plan to race in the Czech city of Most.

The competition will take place on 27 July in Most, Czech Republic. The preparations are still under way, but are already nearing the end. – Every year we create a new car, design it from scratch, and then start building it – says Adam Sinkiewicz, leader of the PGRacing Team. - The assembly itself does not take long – we started in March. However, the design phase is time-consuming. We have very little left to do in order to finish it. There are still problems with firing, but we hope that we will be able to solve them soon - added Adam Sinkiewicz.

During the competition, teams rival in dynamic and static competitions, in which a total of 1000 points can be obtained. Before starting on the track, the vehicle is carefully checked for compliance with the regulations. After it passes the technical check, one of the team members gets behind the wheel and tries to score as many points as possible. The team has already been successful. At the 2018 competition in Spain, they managed to take first place in each competition.

A few words about the car

The fifth generation of the vehicle created by the PGRacing Team is still based on the powerful three-cylinder Triumph Street Triple 675 engine and a steel frame. The design underwent a major revolution in terms of electronics. The pneumatic gear shifting has been replaced with a light, electric one. A start procedure module and a data display for the driver have been added. This year, the engine group was reduced. The lighter and quieter exhaust was created in cooperation with the RCP company. Two lighter coolers from the company Chłodnice Konarscy were also installed. The aerodynamic package has also been improved. It generates more downforce on the vehicle than last year's package, which would not have been possible without the support of Cree Yacht.

Very important laboratories

Laboratories that can be used by students during their preparation stage play a very important. - Before, we had to organize all the equipment ourselves. For example, when we wanted to mill or bore something, we had to use external companies. Now, thanks to the availability of ProtoLab II, it is not necessary - added Adam Sinkiewicz.

PGRacing Team is divided into four groups: engine and drive; body, chassis and aerodynamics; electrics and electronics; marketing and finance. In total, about 20 people are involved in the project.

The PGRacing Team operates as part of the "Mechanik" research club at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Ship Technology. The supervisor of the club is Bogdan Ściborski, PhD, Eng.