Vehicles

How do students make a race car? It starts with a desire, then an idea and that idea leads to the design, and manufacture of the vehicle.

FSRA 2022

FSRA 2021

FSRA 2019

FSRA 2018

FSRA 2017

FSRA 2016

FSRA 2015

FSRA 2014

FSRA 2013

FSRA 2012

FSRA 2022

The Road Arrow is now electric! This season, the team left behind 9 unforgettable vehicles with ICE engines, and dedicated itself to the development of its first electric vehicle. …

FSRA 2021

The 2021 season was quite challenging, but we’ve successfully dealt with the consequences of the Corona virus pandemic. We have qualified for 3 competitions: Austria, Hungary and Croatia. …

FSRA 2019

The 2019 season has brought a number of innovations: the aero package has been completely changed using new solutions for fabrication and technology, the power unit cooling system and the suspension system have been upgraded. The team achieved the greatest success…

FSRA 2018

Perfect ratio of speed and reliability is the best description of FSRA 2018. Formula that has undergone a complete redesign on all systems has successfully completed two endurance races and set the best times so far. The new chassis design with a completely changed concept of suspension, with the latest sensors and adjustments, have provided the vehicle with a significant advantage on the track…

FSRA 2017

Lower center of gravity, traction control system, adjustability for every circuit, better stability in the corners… ”Road Arrow 2017” easily won over our drivers. After all, the designing was conducted in accordance with best ergonomics and vehicle control on the track. Having that in mind, data readings were separated between steering wheel and control table, that enabled a better overview during driving…

FSRA 2016

The recognizable, grey-black texture of the carbon fibers, for the first time in this area, was seen on one race vehicle. Fans of the Formula 1 cannot miss out on the fact that the “Road Arrow 2016” was made based on the fastest vehicles in the world. The steering wheel, seat, body work and aero package were made from carbon fibers. Technology of the composites was the revolutionary innovation of the season, and with it the team was able to reduce the mass of the vehicle by as much as 15 kilograms…

FSRA 2015

The youngest team by then made the best result, setting the record in the most demanding discipline – the endurance race. The fourth place at the Autodrom Most the team won with the Road Arrow 2015. Reliable, aerodynamic and fast – this formula was favorite among the drivers. Suspension and control was significantly improved, and this has made driving much more pleasant experience…

FSRA 2014

Variable geometry intake manifold and first aero package – “Road Arrow 2014” can brag with the most significant innovations up to that time. Variable geometry of the intake manifold was alive as an idea throughout the entire 2013 season. Finally, solution for the only dilemma left in designing such a system, students found on the Ferrari model that they saw in the museum near Riccardo Paletti circuit, after the competition in Italy…

FSRA 2013

Judges in the competition said that there is no formula with better acceleration. It is perhaps the best and shortest way to describe “Road Arrow 2013”. Only the second vehicle the team manufactured, and it was able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km per hour in under 4 seconds. Being 42 kilograms lighter and 20 horse power stronger then it’s predecessor, it ensured that the team ranks among the 10 best teams in the competition in Italy…

FSRA 2012

After the team dedicated a whole season to creating the conceptual design of the vehicle, and after winning the 3rd place for it in the competition in Silverstone, UK, they’ve started making the first formula. Not even a whole year have passed from creating the concept to the first testing of the vehicle. “Road Arrow 2012” laid the foundation for all the vehicles to come: vehicle with steel, chassis construction, power engine from motorcycle Yamaha YZF R6…

DESIGN

The moment when an engineer first sees the car he worked on, not the one when it’s made, but when it’s designed and when it is decided that this is the final look of the vehicle. Behind this exterior stands the designing of all the parts on the car, starting with the chassis, transmission, steering, suspension, braking, the reservoir and oil sump, cooling system, intake and exhaust manifold, to the aero package and ergonomics.

An important point is that every part that is designed is subject to the rules laid out by the Formula Student Rules, otherwise the car cannot compete. Therefore, the design process is very demanding as it tasks students to stay within the framework of the rules and make the best possible vehicle.

MANUFACTURING

Of over 1000 parts that make up the car, only the parts that cannot be made are bought; the engine, dampers, tires and wheels. All other parts are designed by the students and are made in the workshop, university laboratories or by companies with whom we have established a long-standing, successful cooperation.

We put an emphasis on testing the materials we work with, so that every part has the best possible characteristics and ultimately contribute to better the vehicle performance. Since 2016 we have successfully been manufacturing hollow composite construction parts out of carbon fibers and epoxy resin. In the 2017 team members themselves started to manufacture certain plastic parts with 3D printer.

BUSINESS PLAN & COST REPORT

Along with vehicle’s designing and manufacturing, it is important to create a Business Plan. First, the vehicle’s price is determined, through detailed analysis of material and parts, manufacturing process and assembly, followed by market competence having in mind vehicle’s characteristics and estimated value.

After this there are market analysis and product placement proposal with marketing strategy, and along the way team has to evaluate what volume of production is the most economical/cost-effective for the existing production technology. Cost report and Business plan are created for every vehicle, and for the conclusion plan has data about return on investment at the end of every/each year, starting with the year of investment.

TESTING

After the vehicle is manufactured and assembled it’s testing out on the circuit starts. It is necessary to push the vehicle to it’s boundaries, so all deficiencies are revealed and eliminated before the competitions. Every system has to be subjected to detailed analysis. Driver’s task is to notice even the slightest deviations from desired vehicle’s behavior on the circuit so that later they can work together with their teammates on setting the vehicle for every discipline.

This assignment has become easier in the last few years, because we have the possibility to keep the track of data from the sensors in the real time with the help of telemetry unit that our engineers designed on their own. First tests start with nominal vehicle’s setting, then after the vehicle has been driven parameters are measured, and the vehicle is being adjusted all over again until satisfying results are obtained.