The Formula Hybrid student automotive design competition encourages the development of hybrid automotive drive trains with an emphasis on efficiency in a high-performance application. Improved efficiency in an automotive drive system can be used to increase fuel economy, performance, or both. Building on the Formula SAE program, Formula Hybrid adds an extra level of complexity: fuel efficiency.[1]
Like Formula SAE events, the Hybrid competition includes an acceleration test, autocross and endurance events, as well as engineering and construction static events. Unlike Formula SAE, Formula Hybrid events put a greater emphasis on drive train innovation and fuel efficiency.
Formula SAE Hybrid rules
For the Formula Hybrid competition conducted in 2007 and 2008, the Formula SAE rules for each of these years were utilized for the construction of the car, with the addition of Hybrid specific rules specifying the type of fuel and the hybrid definitions. Also defined are details of a competitor car that might be in the developmental stage defined as ‘Hybrid-in-Progress’ car. A 'Hybrid-in-Progress' is an all-electric car, under the idea that next year the car will be upgraded to a full hybrid powertrain.
The difference noted in the rules state that a ‘hybrid’ Formula car must complete a 75-meter acceleration run in electric-only mode in less than 10 seconds. In terms of the engine capacities for the internal combustion engine, 250cc spark ignition engine or a 310cc diesel engine can be used.
Starting in 2009, the Formula Hybrid rules stood alone as a complete document, incorporating the necessary car construction and safety rules from the Formula SAE rulebook. One large change for 2009 was the fuel allotment. In 2007–2008, teams were given an allotment to cover the entire event. In 2009, this allotment was smaller, but was only applied to the endurance event. Teams were free to use as much fuel as needed for the other events, provided the car was filled by event officials.
The acceleration is a test of the engines, motors, and vehicle weight; It is also a test of how efficiently the team achieve the coupling of the electrical and mechanical power-train systems. The acceleration runs are broken down to two different categories - the fully electric acceleration run and the unrestricted acceleration run. In the fully electric acceleration run the team are only allowed to utilize the power delivered by the electric system i.e., the accumulator pack (batteries or capacitors) and electric motor system. In unlimited acceleration, the teams are free to use any system (or combination of systems) they wish.
Autocross event
The autocross event involves an open loop circuit designed with chicanes, speed traps and slaloms. In 2007, the autocross competition was held in the parking lot next to the Turn 1 grandstands. In 2008 and 2009, the autocross competition was on a circuit built on the NASCAR oval track on turn 4. The competition event is designed to test the ability of the car to go around the circuit at maximum speed and drive around the tight bends and turns. The objective of the competition is to set the fastest time from the starting point and the ending point of the circuit. As with Formula SAE, the course is marked with orange traffic cones. Hitting a cone incurs a 2 sec penalty, while failure to follow the course results in a 20 sec penalty.
Endurance event
The endurance event is similar to the autocross track, except that it is closed loop and more spacious. As with the auto-x event, the course is marked with traffic cones; hitting a cone incurs a 2 sec penalty and a failure to follow the course incurs a 20 sec penalty. The Formula Hybrid cars are stipulated to drive a total of 22 kilometers in distance with one driver change pit stop at the half way mark. The pit stop can also be used to inspect minor details on the car by the team, but are not allowed any changes or allowed to add any fuel. The objective of the endurance race is to finish with the fastest race time while not running out of your allotted fuel. McGill University repeated this feat in 2008 where the only other team to finish the 40-lap race was Illinois Institute of Technology which finished second.
The Formula Hybrid competition includes an analysis and critique of the engineering design and construction of the vehicle, with an emphasis on drive train innovation, fuel efficiency, and sustainable manufacturing practices.
The inaugural competition had three events that were designed to judge the hybrid Formula car and their performance. The overall winner is determined by two categorical events – dynamic and static events. The static events included a technical inspection, a safety inspection and the official weighing of the formula cars. The dynamic events included an acceleration run, an autocross race and an endurance event. McGill University finished the fastest in autocross competition and also finished fastest in the endurance race. Yale University's car was the fastest in electric-only acceleration. Florida Institute of Technology's car was the fastest in the unrestricted acceleration event. Florida Institute of Technology, Illinois Institute of Technology and Yale University, represented their school's first entry into any Formula SAE competition.[2]
In the 2007 competitions, the official results were as follows:[2]
The second annual competition was conducted on the same competition pattern as in the 2007 competition (see above). The difference to be noted was the fact that the autocross in the 2007 competition was conducted in the parking lot of the racetrack. In 2008, the autocross event was conducted on the oval part of the NASCAR track on Turn 4. In 2008, there were a higher number of teams from across the United States. McGill University finished with the fastest time in the autocross competition as well as the endurance race. Dartmouth College's car finished fastest in both the unrestricted and electric-only acceleration runs. Illinois Institute of Technology was the only other team which completed the 40 lap endurance race. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University only managed to finish 32 laps while Drexel University managed to finish only 25 laps of the endurance race.[3]
In the 2008 competition, the official results were as follows:[4]
The 2009 Formula Hybrid Competition was held for three days from May 4 to May 6 with the first day dedicated to technical inspections by SAE, IEEE and industry officials. The number of registered teams increase to 30 teams, nearly four times the number of teams in the first year of the competition in 2007.
In the competition, 21 teams officially scored points in the various events – design, acceleration runs, autocross and endurance race. The total points possible were a 1000 (per team). For the static events, each team could score a maximum of 300 points and for the dynamic (racing) events, each team could score a maximum of 700 points.
The official results of the 2009 competition are as follows:[7]
There were also 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards for 'Hybrid-in-Progress'. 1st Place Overall – Hybrid-in-progress: Cal Poly SLO 2nd Place Overall – Hybrid-in-progress: Tufts University 3rd Place Overall – Hybrid-in-progress: University of California, San Diego
The 2010 Formula Hybrid Competition was organized in Loudon, New Hampshire at the New Hampshire International Speedway. The event was held for four days from May 3 through May 6 with the first day dedicated to technical inspections by SAE, IEEE and industry officials. The primary purpose of these inspections is the overall safety of the student-built racing car and the need to certify this safety will enable the team to participate in the competition. The competition has consistently seen a substantial rise in the number of teams. The total number of registered teams was thirty. In the competition, twenty-four teams officially scored points in the various events – presentation, design, acceleration runs, autocross and endurance race. The total points possible were a 1000 (per team). For the static events, each team could score a maximum of 300 points and for the dynamic (racing) events, each team could score a maximum of 700 points.
The official results of the 2010 competition are as follows:[9]
Dartmouth's 5th Annual Formula Hybrid Competition took place in Loudon, New Hampshire at the New Hampshire International Speedway. The event was held for four days from May 1 through May 4 with the first day dedicated to technical inspections by SAE, IEEE and industry officials. The primary purpose of these inspections is the overall safety of the student-built racing car and the need to certify this safety will enable the team to participate in the competition. The competition has consistently seen a substantial rise in the number of teams. The total number of registered teams increased to thirty-four, over five times the number of teams in the first year of the competition in 2007. In the competition, twenty-one teams officially scored points in the various events – presentation, design, acceleration runs, autocross and endurance race. The total points possible were a 1000 (per team). For the static events, each team could score a maximum of 300 points and for the dynamic (racing) events, each team could score a maximum of 700 points.
The official results of the 2011 competition are as follows:[10]
There were also 1st and 2nd place awards for 'Hybrid-in-Progress'. 1st Place Overall – Hybrid-in-progress: Milwaukee School of Engineering 2nd Place Overall – Hybrid-in-progress: Drexel University
The 6th Annual Formula Hybrid Competition was organized in Loudon, New Hampshire at the New Hampshire International Speedway. The event was held for four days from April 30 through May 3 with the first day dedicated to technical inspections by SAE, IEEE and industry officials. The primary purpose of these inspections is the overall safety of the student-built racing car and the need to certify this safety will enable the team to participate in the competition. The competition has consistently seen a substantial rise in the number of teams. The total number of registered increased to thirty-nine, over six times the number of teams in the first year of competition in 2007. In the competition, twenty-five teams officially scored points in the various events – presentation, design, acceleration runs, autocross and endurance race. The total points possible were a 1000 (per team). For the static events, each team could score a maximum of 300 points and for the dynamic (racing) events, each team could score a maximum of 700 points.
The official results of the 2012 competition are as follows:[11]
The scores of the first two finishers in the Hybrid category were within 0.2% of one another, and because the uncertainties in some of the event scores exceeded that value, the organizers decided to award two first-place trophies for 2012 Overall Hybrid.
Beginning in 2012, the Hybrid-in-progress (HIP) class was renamed Electric-only and the rules changed slightly to make the vehicles more compatible with the newly announced FSAE-Electric class.
The 2013 Formula Hybrid Competition is being held in Loudon, New Hampshire at the New Hampshire International Speedway from April 29 through May 2, 2013.
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