On the second
weekend in May, the WR-211 put Wisconsin Racing back on the
map with a 5th place finish at Formula SAE Michigan. This
marks the first top five finish for the team since the 2008
competition but the 6th since the year 2000. The 5th place
finish also makes UW-Madison the top finishing domestic team
(1st place went to Global Formula Racing, a collaborative
effort between Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg- Ravensburg
and Oregon State). Notably, the WR-211 posted the best power
to weight ratio at competition and was the fourth lightest car
at only 325 pounds. The results for the top ten are listed
below:
1. Global Formula
Racing - DHBW Ravensburg/Oregon State (Intl)
2. Technical
University of Munich (Germany)
3. University of
Stuttgart (Germany)
4. Graz University
of Technology (Austria)
5. University of
Wisconsin - Madison
6. University of
Michigan - Ann Arbor
7. University of
Applied Sciences Zwichau (Germany)
8. University of
Akron
9. University of
Kansas - Lawrence
10. University of
Applied Sciences - Graz (Austria)
Wisconsin’s vehicle composition has undergone major changes
beginning with the 209. This year, the team completed the
transition to the lightweight vehicle concept by redesigning
the entire suspension and chassis to utilize 10” rims and
Hoosier tires. Besides the increased performance of the new
tires, the wheel package reduced the vehicle weight by 21.5 lb
alone. These massive and somewhat risky changes were not
completed without challenges but the result was a remarkable
performance increase from the previous year.
The WR-211’s powertrain package was refined greatly. The
team continued its use of E-85 and reintroduced a full carbon
fiber intake plenum, improving flow characteristics and
reducing vehicle mass. Advanced simulation work was
completed with Ricardo WAVE software and the powertrain group
was able to acquire in-cylinder pressure data for the first
time and making Wisconsin one of the few Formula Student teams
to have access to in-cylinder pressure data. The powertrain
package presented at competition boasted 82 hp.
Remaining for the team now is the Formula SAE California
competition taking place on June 15th-18th. Global Formula
Racing will be present at this event, as well as contenders
from École de Technologie Supérieure in Montreal,
the University of Missouri Science and Technology and the
University of Kansas. Two team from China will also
compete in the event.
The photo gallery for the WR-211 can be found through the
gallery link at www.uwracing.com.
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