Formula Manipal Run FM XI

“It still gets me every time- there are no door handles.”

Richard Hammond on racecars.

At its first , it’s a chrome alloy skeleton (with signs of unprofessional student welding),wrapped in pure carbon fiber aerodynamics skin -that keeps the car on the ground, HONDA CBR 600cc RR engine as its heart -sucking in more air than the driver would use to breathe during the race. Nerves,receiving synapses from the 12V battery spreads out throughout the car. Unlike other machines, its brain is put to harsh math along with sensor algorithms and numerical data so that it becomes a wild animal producing 72BHP at jolting12000 RPM, making it one of the fastest Formula Student cars built in the country.

It’s a lengthy procedure to drive, more like preparing to fly an airplane

Adjusting the two lap belts and then over the shoulders for the shoulder belts.

Quite difficult to reach between the legs for the “submarine strap” and attached them all. The driver pulls the helmet on, straps it, puts the steering wheel back on, tightens the seatbelt straps, presses the arm button, pulls in the clutch, and starts the car.

Engage first, judder away alarmingly, as the kill switch peppering the dash threatens to break free from its moorings. First change up to third, leaving the throttle well alone and accelerate to a 100kmph in less than 4.8seconds. The noise exploded bomb- like right in the center of your head splashing white-sonic shrapnel against the back of your eyes. It’s so loud and penetrating. It’s harsh. It stings. It’s the noise of speed as it compresses the straightway running barely above the ground.

The driver is frozen. You just feel the acceleration performance and concentration involved in squinting and screening the race track for cones and corners. It reminds me of those mid length leather coats with fur collar and big pockets that villains wear in tough guy movies. Hunched and probably not in a good mood, but whatever it is, FMXI is the car equivalent.

The fastest way around, doesn’t feel like the fastest way around that track. If it feels like you’re going fast, you’re usually just sliding sideways and scrubbing off all your speed.

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Tags: car team, Formula Manipal, FSAE Car, high school experiments, innovation, innovative race cars, manipal university, Manipal University's official Formula Student team, racing car, team Formula Manipal