THE FUTURE
NR14
Powertrain
NR14 was engineered to be a RWD configuration, consisting of a mid-mounted EMRAX 228 electric motor coupled to a DREXLER limited-slip differential via a carbon-reinforced belt drive. This system is tensioned using custom-machined eccentric mounts. This allows for much better weight distribution within the chassis to improve handling and driving characteristics ensuring the most performance can be teased out by the drivers.
0-60: TBC
Torque: TBC
Top Speed: TBC
Power: TBC
Suspension
NR14 is connected to the ground via a double wishbone, independent pushrod actuated bell crank suspension system. This allows us to tune the performance of the system more easily, keeping the tyres in contact with the ground more reliably for maximum grip and performance.
Electrical
The EMRAX 228 motor is controlled by a SEVCON Gen8 inverter. The entire powertrain is powered by a custom high voltage Lithium-Ion battery. There are many safety precautions utilised to ensure the system runs safely, mainly a custom Battery Management System (BMS) providing live temperature, voltage, and current readings back to the team and driver via a digital LCD screen mounted in the steering wheel. This keeps the drivers safe as well as making it easier for them to negotiate the fastest times out of the car while keeping it in its most efficient operating range.
Chassis
A steel spaceframe was used for the main structure of NR14 that was designed and manufactured in-house. This has resulted in a stiff and lightweight structure to form the solid base of our car enabling it to be driven as hard as the drivers can, eking the most they can out of the car.
NR16
Chassis
A brand-new steel spaceframe has been designed by our chassis engineer. This was manufactured in-house by our skilled technicians, ready to be painted and accept the new components for the 2025 event. The updated design allows for a much more organic driving position after incorporating anthropometric data from the team. Careful consideration was taken to make sure no components interfere with each other, and as such the new chassis has far greater accessibility for all components, particularly to the powertrain, allowing for easier installation and maintenance.
Electrical
The SEVCON Gen8 inverter is still being used, a tried and tested platform we are ever improving.
Aerodynamics
NR16 with be the first car to incorporate a functional aero package Newcastle Racing has ever made. With a couple new supervisors on board to assist our third-year engineers, and the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software, a rear wing is being designed. This is a big undertaking for the team, and we cannot wait to see the result, as I'm sure you can't either.
Powertrains
The powertrain for NR16 is a completely overhauled design from NR14. The motor and differential have remained the same, but that is all. The assembly has been changed to a chain drive system utilising a chain suitable for race-spec MotoGP motorcycles. The rear sprocket has been custom machined from aircraft-grade 7071T6 Aluminium, and the motor mount has been separated from the differential mounts after both being revised from the ground up. This has this allowed us to reduce the total mass of the assembly by over 50% and the rotational mass by 90%. We also now have the ability to easily change ratios ensuring the optimum gearing is used for each event, a feature very rarely seen in Formula Student cars. No more compromise, and maximum performance.
Suspension
NR16 will utilise a double wishbone, pushrod actuated bell-crank configuration once again. However far greater adjustability will be incorporated along with anti-squat and anti-dive geometry. This limits how much the suspension compresses under acceleration and deceleration providing a more consistent ride-hight improving aerodynamic gains, handling characteristics and power transferred to the rear wheels for faster acceleration.
Research for future implementations:
Composites
Design is only one facet of engineering; material choice is another massive area for improvement. For this reason, research is being undertaken into the use of composite materials to enhance our cars in future years. We are particularly looking into mould generation for the use of fibreglass or carbon-fibre, to the implementation of carbon-reinforced polymers. This will allow us to create stronger and lighter components, structural or otherwise, with the ability to sculpt their shape, maximising the space we have available and boost performance of our vehicles.
AI
There are multiple events set out by IMechE for the Formula Student event, one of which being an AI class. Within this, a diver-less vehicle is developed and put forward to complete the same events, which requires complicated custom programming and algorithms to be created. Newcastle Racing has expanded its reach within Newcastle University to include Computing Science students who have begun research and work into this field. The results of this research will help to provide a lot of experience to students allowing for greater progress into the endeavour of safer transport throughout the world.
Aerodynamics
Suspension
With our first aero package in development for NR16, this will provide an invaluable first step into our research for a more comprehensive aerodynamics package. Further learning of software, and experience gained with mould manufacture provides a great basis, with further research into a front wing, undertray, and diffuser.
Suspension systems can get complex, but with this comes even greater enhancements to vehicle handling. Partially connecting the two sides of the car with ‘heave springs’ and ‘anti-roll bars’ are two ways to do this, so we have begun research into these for implementation in the future as well as other strategies.
Crash Structure
Keeping the driver safe in the event of a crash is imperative and is an area we can always improve on. For this reason, we are looking into new ways we can do this with the use of new materials and concepts so we can start testing and utilise the new technology we discover.
