University of NSW and South Western Institute of TAFE finding the right formula

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) and South Western Institute of TAFE (SWIT) have set the wheels rolling to compete in the hottest event to hit Australian education in years.

They are engineering a car that they hope will assure them of success in Formula SAE-A, a program that pits similar cars from 14 other Australian universities and an anticipated five teams from overseas against in each other in tests ranging from fuel-efficiency to speed and endurance.

Formula SAE-A is produced by the Society of Automotive Engineers – Australasia, supported by Australia’s four major car manufacturers and a string of major automotive industry suppliers. It develops the technical and business skills of young engineers, providing them with experience in areas from design and engineering through to sponsorship and promotion.

Last year, the University of New South Wales entry was the overall winner of the inaugural Formula SAE-A event. This year, UNSW has teamed with SWIT to run the program as a voluntary, extra-curricular activity. Their Redback Racing team is comprised of students passionate about their future vocation.

"Our team is involved in Formula SAE-A to tune our technical and managerial skills, and to have fun doing it," said UNSW/SWIT Project Coordinator, Dejan Ninic. "Formula SAE-A has given us an opportunity to face financial, technical and marketing problems that lectures and labs cannot provide. It allows us to expand our knowledge and technical skills within real-life manufacturing and financial parameters."

At UNSW and SWIT, Formula SAE-A is open to students from all years, with first and second year students encouraged to join. Some final year students provide the team with valuable support, while academic and laboratory staff also offer assistance.

"Our team philosophy is based on team work and communication and as most engineering problems are solved with project groups, we are giving ourselves a significant part of the necessary training to make us leaders in our field," Mr Ninic said.

In only it’s second year, major motoring companies such as Holden, Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi have recognised Formula SAE-A as an ideal opportunity to create bridges between their recruiting needs and the nation’s best technical talent.

It provides a practical and innovative model for industry integration with the education sector has a greater influence over how that talent is developed and nurtured through the higher education system.

Redback Racing will travel to Victoria for this year’s FSAE-A event, to be held from December 6 to 9 at Holden’s Lang Lang Proving Ground.