November 2009 News
	News and media Newsroom   July 2010   Archives   2009       December 2009       November 2009       October 2009       September 2009       August 2009       July 2009       June 2009       May 2009     April 2009     2008 OnTrack Photo gallery Video footage Media releases Brochures		[Print-friendly version] 10.11.2009 The 2008 Ozanne set to hit the tracks of Werribee one last time With the December 2009 Formula SAE Australasia competition looming, long days, all nighters and energy drink stock piles have arrived, with the QUT Motorsport team powering ahead to enter their sixth straight FSAE comp. Aiming for a solid top ten finish, the gruelling four day competition is set to be staged from December 10 – 13 at The Victoria University Driving Centre in Werribee, Melbourne.   Despite the team’s best efforts to build a competitive 2009 challenger, QUT Motorsport have opted to reinstate the 2008 vehicle, The Ozanne, for another season.   While working on the new 2009 FSAE competition car, dubbed Ozanne II, the QUT Motorsport team have also modified design systems of Ozanne I - first developed for competition last year - by 60 per cent for greater performance. Originally for driver practice, the team decided to use the 2008 entry at the upcoming 2009 competition, meaning it will give them the edge over a new car in the dynamic events. The would be 2009 car, Ozanne II, will now become the 2010 challenger and is expected to be completed in early 2010 – giving the project a fantastic start to next year.   QUT Motorsport academic advisor and senior Lecturer at QUT, Dr. Dennis De Pellegrin, remains confident the decision will put QUT Motorsport ahead for not only this year’s competition – but also for the long term of the project. “Designing and building an FSAE car takes most of the year and driver practice is essential leading up to competition for safety and performance,” explained Dennis.  “Points from these events are key to achieving our goal of placing in the top ten, and the team will have better overall success with this approach and ensure that the learning experience is realised.” Like all SAE teams, set backs are experienced periodically whilst striving to build a new vehicle annually, however Dennis is still adamant QUT Motorsport has made the right decision. “All in all, given the global financial crisis and current construction redevelopment within our supporting faculty at QUT, the entire team has collectively decided that is the best decision for QUT Motorsport in 2009.” Whilst the competition allows cars to compete across two seasons, a small points penalty will be incurred. Technical Manager and final year mechanical engineering student, Daniel Naylor, is still however confident QUT Motorsport will put on a stellar performance at this year’s competition. “The points deduction for entering an existing model – is small compared with the benefits to our team,” Daniel said. “Our new car entry was possible, but we would have had limited testing and would not have the best set up we could have if we had more time. “This strategy will mean we can perfect the existing car set up, making it more competitive in the dynamic events and prepare better for static events. “We can now head to competition this year with considerable testing behind us and lots of track practice for our drivers,” Daniel explained. - Elecia Douglas   4.11.2009 RMIT set QUT Motorsport seminars Racing Continuing QUT Motorsport’s commitment to extending students’ education beyond the classroom and now even beyond the workshop, this year’s seminar series has taken its next step in presenting on the inner complexities of Formula SAE – with a little help from Australia’s best.  One of the premier Formula SAE outfits in Australia, if not the world, RMIT Racing lent their knowledge, one of their esteemed alumni students and even their Academic Advisor, for two stand out presentations during the business end of Semester 2 and in the lead up to Formula SAE competition. Both of these events were funded by a QUT teaching and learning grant - “QUT Motorsport: the perfect vehicle for student engagement” - obtained to educate and involve students participating in the Automotive second major and QUT Motorsport. Acting as an assignment reliever during mid October, Geoff Pearson, RMIT Alumni, presented an insightful overview about RMIT Racing’s approach to Formula SAE and their unique strategy for designing and building their cars. The students’ of QUT Motorsport certainly valued this unique insight into what goes into making a world champion FSAE team.   Backing up for another dose of RMIT wisdom, the team were also treated to mid examination therapy, with a presentation from RMIT Racing’s Academic Advisor Professor Simon Watkins. Held in conjunction with the Society of Automotive Engineers Australasia, Queensland Division, the seminar also saw attendees beaming from leading automotive companies in Queensland. Being a professor of Automotive Engineering at RMIT University, Simon was the originator of the first Automotive Engineering Degree in Australia and has played a pivotal part in making RMIT Racing Formula SAE World Champions. Now with some freshly enthused knowledge, especially amongst the up and coming students of the Automotive second major, RMIT better keep an eye on their rear-view mirrors, as QUT Motorsport is set to be on their tail for years to come. - Elecia Douglas

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