Formula Racing
Formula Bharat, the first step to motorsports engineering
A student competition to build formula-style race cars will take place at Coimbatore’s famed Kari Motor Speedway on the weekend.
Formula Bharat is all set to give Indian engineering students a stepping stone towards a career in motorsport.
The competition, which follows the format of Formula Student championships run around the world, stacks teams of student engineers against each other to see who can build the best formula-style race car.
The second edition of the competition will be held at Kari Motor Speedway in Coimbatore between 25th and 28th January with over 2,000 students from 79 engineering colleges set to participate.
The competition is held in two formats — static evaluation and dynamic events.
As part of the static events, students have to present business plans, cost analysis and design presentation for the cars they would have built over the last year. Static tests also make sure the cars meet the safety regulations before they are put out on track.
The dynamic events include acceleration, skid pad, autocross and an endurance run. The endurance run is the final test of character for the student-built cars. Two drivers from each team must drive the car around the circuit for eight laps each in the quickest time possible while making sure the car doesn’t break down.
Formula Bharat will also feature a category for electric vehicles this year. The Formula Student Electric Vehicle Concept Challenge will have 19 participating teams while the Formula Bharat combustion category will have 60 teams competing.
Many teams have successfully crowdfunded their campaigns in the past, and a few have gone on to compete in international competitions. Last year, nine Indian teams partook in international competitions, including five participating teams at Formula Student Germany — the unofficial world championship of Formula Student.
Check out some highlights from Formula Bharat 2017
A safety regulation check is one of the static events
© Formula Bharat
Design presentation is also part of the competition
© Formula Bharat
Cars are also tested for acceleration
© Formula Bharat
An endurance run is the biggest challenge for the student-built car
© Formula Bharat