Zips Formula Student Race Team members, from left to right: Preston Davis, Ryan Kruse, Chris DiSante, Alex Koon, Anna Davis, Logan Micham, Hunter Campbell, Kevin Musial, Chris Bergsneider, Austin Perry, Pat Moga and Cloyd Reed.
Formula Team set to zip ahead on world racetrack
DRIVEN FIGURATIVELY AND LITERALLY, the Zips Formula Race Team is taking cues from its success last year, when it placed eighth in the world. With the flashy black-and-white ZR14 in tow, the Zips will compete at the Formula Student Germany International Design Competition July 29 to Aug. 3. The team hopes to race into the top five this time around the track.
“This year’s car is an evolution of the ZR13,” says team captain and mechanical engineering senior Ryan Kruse. “We found a few areas where we could make changes to further improve the car’s performance.”
The team tweaked the car’s aerodynamics and trimmed off 15 pounds. They also modified the engine to increase its power and efficiency based on computer simulations they conducted to test engine airflow, friction and fuel injection.
After a year of designing, building and testing the ZR14, the Zips arrived ready at Hockenheim, Germany, earlier this week. On the racetrack, they will compete against 74 other teams from 26 countries in acceleration, skidpad, autocross and endurance.
Under the guidance of academic advisor Dr. Richard Gross, mechanical engineering professor emeritus, Zips racing teams have competed in design competitions since 1990.
In their last competition, the Formula SAE® Michigan last May, the Zips finished fifth overall against more than 100 other teams.