Automotive, Motorsport and Future Transport Engineering

This multi-purpose, industry standard lab facilitates training, research and academic contextualization related to Automotive and Motorsport studies.

The area accommodates a multitude of dedicated instructional sessions to contextualise your academic study, promote innovation and to give practical, first-hand experience in a broad spectrum of Automotive and Motorsport disciplines including Electric vehicle research and development.

As an Automotive & Motorsport Engineering student you will have the opportunity to be involved in many activities and projects such as.

Vehicle checks - Carry out a vehicle set up prior to track action and have your set up tested while you’re on board for three hot laps around Oulton Park race circuit. This includes everything from ensuring the Track Car is prepared, to logistics, data and administration
Emergency experience - A strong working relationship with BARC NW gives students and opportunity to gain insight into the process involved in a crash rescue operation at motoring events and also provides an opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience of being in a crash rescue situation.
The Formula Student competition - The Formula Student Competition invites students to compete against one another in a series of dynamic and static events using their custom-built race cars. The cars are built in-house, thus providing students with the challenge of designing, manufacturing, assembling and budgeting for the whole project. This process also provides students with a great opportunity to talk to industry experts at the competition which in the past has included representatives from: Aston Martin, Red Bull, Bentley Motors, Ford Motor Company, Mathworks, Babcock International, ANSYS and Multimatic.
Formula Renault - The Formula Renault Race Car situated within the workshop provides an invaluable insight into the design process as well as the designers thought process for building high-performance vehicles. This could include testing the suspension on the Damper Dyno and studying the brake system to see what it takes to stop one of these cars.
Industry Connections - Through the Formula Student Project, several partnerships within industry have been gained through the sponsorship scheme, two notable companies would be Cosworth and Alton Towers, both of whom provide invaluable resources to aid the team.
Cosworth Data Acquisition - Through the relationship with Cosworth, the Formula Student Team have access to Cosworth’s PI Data Software and a range of sensors to aid in the data acquisition package on the Formula Student Car. This included: PI Toolset, PI Toolbox, Wheel Speed Sensors, Steering Angle Sensor, Linear Displacement Sensors and the Badenia 2 Data Logger. This is useful as it gives the team the opportunity to better develop their data acquisition and analysis capability. This software is industry standard and is used in a range of Motorsport Championships, including British Touring Car Championship, British GT, World Endurance Championship, Europen Le Mans Series and Indycar.

Equipment

Formula Renault, Carbon Fiber Monocoque racing car
Ford Fiesta ST track car
Quantum Xtreme electric car
Formula student racing car
VBox Data Acquisition
Dynostar Chassis Dynamometer
Dynostar Engine Dynamometer
Intercomp Suspension Dynamometer
Intercomp Spring Rate meter
Intercomp Corner weight scales
BG Vehicle geometry set up
Two post vehicle ramp
Comprehensive workshop tools and equipment also catering to electric vehicles
Comprehensive testing equipment incl; sound meters, automotive scanners, Pico scopes etc
Axminster CNC machine