Formula High School Project
Racing to Learn!
The Wisconsin Formula High School project was created to allow students who are interested in motorsports, engineering, and technology areas a realistic outlet to showcase their skills and talents. Students who are involved in athletic competitions have regular meets or games in which they compete to see how their abilities compare with other schools. Students involved in Formula High School now have the opportunity to compete against other schools in a controlled racing time-trial event. Each team is responsible for constructing a vehicle to a strict set of guidelines. These guidelines help the students construct a safe vehicle that closely resembles the current SCCA Formula First race vehicle. Although the competition vehicles may appear cosmetically similar, the differences in the drivetrains, alignment, and steering geometry make for spirited competition. Despite the Formula High School event being held at a prominent motorsports facility, the focus of the project is to help the students develop the engineering and technical skills that are vital to our nation’s manufacturers.
Formula Generation 1 stats:
· Single seat open wheel race car
· VW spindles and brakes
· 16 HP Briggs & Stratton v-twin engine
· Centrifugal clutch
· Solid front and rear axel
· Max Rear Axle Speed at Engine Redline: 730 RPM
· Max Overall Tire Diameter: 23”
· Wheelbase: 81” – 87” measured from center of front spindle axle to center of rear axle.
· Width: 54” to 60” measured to the outside edge of the mounted tire.
· Ground Clearance: 2” MIN – 4” MAX
· Construct a complete car for approximately $3000
· Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI
· Cars race one at a time against the clock
· All students drive the car on the track
· Competition May 15 and 16th
The goals of the high school formula project are:
· Increasing awareness of engineering and technical careers
· Promoting teamwork and interpersonal skills among competitors
· Construction of a product with specific tolerances and deadlines
· Applying knowledge from other disciplines to an engineering and automotive application
· Connect the schools and students to their local business
· Apply the concepts of marketing and increase the student’s public relation skills
· Promote SkillsUSA and Technology and Engineering coursework
http://formulahighschool.com/home.html