ZAPOPAN, Jalisco; July 19, 2022.- From June 15 to 18, the international Formula SAE competition took place at the Michigan International Speedway, in the United States, where the Universidad Panamericana Campus Guadalajara team, UP Racing, obtained the highest score in its history.
School of Engineering for the first time in Formula SAE
The vehicle designed by students from the School of Engineering raced for the first time in Formula SAE, a competition organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers, where universities from all over the world are invited. Miguel Vizcaino, captain of the team, explained everything involved in participating in this event, from travel arrangements to everything that has to be done months before presenting the vehicle. He commented that knowing how to work under pressure is key in this whole process, and even the fact of presenting a finished car at the competition is already an achievement.
"If there's just one thing that doesn't work among the thousands of parts, systems and assemblies, nothing works. (...) There are things that go wrong that you didn't know could go wrong."
Prior to the start of the competition, with the objective of surpassing the performance of past years, things began to get complicated. According to the team captain, there was a problem with the engine. Despite this adversity, the team decided to travel to Michigan, where the problems continued to appear. Fortunately, thanks to the team's hard work, they were able to solve the problem and be ready for the competition.
"About two months before, and even more so the days leading up to the competition, from my perspective, you feel the pressure and a little bit of fear, thinking that everything we have to do already, we have to do it right and of everything that is already done, nothing can go wrong."
During the competition, the participating teams have up to 3 days to perform the technical control, which is divided into 4 stages: detailed vehicle check, inclination test, sound test and brake test. Upon completion of these evaluations, the team gains access to dynamic tests. Vizcaino commented that the brake test would be the long awaited moment when, after 4 years of effort and sleeplessness, they would see the car run for the first time. However, just before the test, a part of the lever broke. The resolution was due to the incredible teamwork between the teams, and thanks to the support of another team they were able to replace the missing part.
The members are proud to be the team with the highest number of tests passed when comparing the performance of the previous competitions; Tech Inspection, which was passed on the third day, Tilt Test and Noise Test. In addition, it is the first time that they have entered the Top 10 in the cost competition, deserving ninth place.
The hard work, dedication and commitment of UP Racing was recognized by having the highest score nationally, surpassing universities such as UNAM and UAEM; and second place in Latin America, below Universidad Simón Bolívar, Venezuela; above FÓRMULA CEFAST, Brazil and UNIMET MOTORSPORTS, Venezuela.
"After so much work, we finally saw it move forward on its own, it was an inexplicable feeling, I have no words to describe what we felt."
The Universidad Panamericana Campus Guadalajara and the School of Engineering congratulate the entire UP Racing team for their great performance and outstanding achievements in this international competition.
