ABOUT US
Formula Student Oulu is more than a racing team – it’s a dynamic learning platform for students at the University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences.
Established in 2013, FSO embarked on its first Formula Student race in 2015, marking the beginning of the journey. As the northernmost team in Finland and the second northernmost in the world, we embrace the challenge of cultivating a robust know-how in the North.
At Formula Student Oulu, inclusivity is our strength. We welcome students from all disciplines, recognizing that every skillset is crucial in crafting a winning formula. In 2023, we celebrated our first podium victories, a testament to our commitment to excellence.
Our mission extends beyond the racetrack. We aim to support training in engineering and economics at Oulu universities, fostering collaboration among students from diverse fields through our interdisciplinary project. Join us in experiencing, building and learning in a truly unique way.
Formula Student Oulu comprises of students from diverse academic backgrounds at the University of Oulu and the University of Applied Sciences of Oulu.
Our team members bring a range of expertise from fields such as engineering, computer science and business.
We believe in a collaborative approach, pooling our skills to explore and innovate in the
realm of competitive automotive design.
We achieved the team’s first podiums in the 2023 season!
- 2nd in Acceleration in Formula Student Czech Republic
- 3rd in Skidpad in Formula Student Czech Republic
- 2nd in Acceleration in Formula Student Germany
WHAT IS FORMULA STUDENT?
Formula Student is an international engineering design competition that challenges university students to design, build, and race formula-style race cars. Originally started in Texas in 1981 with four teams attending, Formula Student has grown to over 800 teams and 26 different races worldwide.
The competitions, often organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) or similar entities, provide a platform for students to apply theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world engineering challenges.
Teams participating in Formula Student typically consist of students from various engineering disciplines. They collaborate to design and construct a prototype race car, adhering to a set of mainly safety regulations provided by the competition organizers. The cars are evaluated not only for their speed and performance on the track but also for their design, cost-effectiveness and overall engineering ingenuity.
A Formula Student competition is divided to two different event categories: Dynamic and Static disciplines.
Dynamic disciplines
One of the most frequent questions we get is: How fast does it go and how quickly does it accelerate? This is how we find out the answer; 75 meters from a standing start. Our time in FSG 2023 was 4,097s (0-100km/h ~3,1s).
Skid pad is designed to test the limits of the car’s lateral acceleration (grip in layman’s terms). For this we need a good driver, fresh tyres and a well designed car.
This event showcases the vehicles’ agility, acceleration, and handling. Teams compete to achieve the fastest lap times, testing the performance and responsiveness of their creations in a controlled, sprint-style race setting. Fastest single lap wins. The starting order of the Endurance event is determined by the results in Autocross.
Endurance in Formula Student is the ultimate test of a team’s race car design and durability. This discipline challenges the student-built vehicles to endure 22 kilometers of continuous, high-speed racing. It evaluates not only the car’s performance but also its reliability, fuel efficiency, and overall structural integrity. Endurance reflects real-world racing conditions, pushing teams to optimize their designs for both speed and lasting endurance. Extra points are given for fuel efficiency though you still have to be fast to qualify for them.
Static disciplines
Teams present a comprehensive technical report, outlining the engineering principles, innovations, and analyses applied in the creation of their race car. The EDR evaluates the team’s understanding of design choices, safety considerations, and cost-effectiveness. This static discipline emphasizes the theoretical foundation and practical application of engineering concepts, serving as a crucial element in the overall Formula Student competition.
Teams present a detailed report outlining the cost breakdown and manufacturing processes involved in their production. This discipline evaluates the team’s ability to manage budget constraints, optimize manufacturing methods, and justify design choices in terms of cost efficiency. The Cost and Manufacturing Report provides insights into the economic viability of the project, highlighting the team’s resourcefulness and strategic decision-making within the constraints of a real-world budget.
Teams present a business plan related to their car to fictitious investors, represented by the jurors. This discipline tests the teams’ business skills and creativity to commercialise what they’ve learned in Formula Student.