STEP UP

"In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure”

 A lesson well learnt after a successful participation at Italy in 2008. Formula Manipal was the news on campus. Everyone talking of the team and its achievements. The university was proud of the team. Unfortunately, FM had very little time to collect the appreciations that were pouring in. With the clocking ticking really fast, the team was to get all set for their next challenge - Silverstone, UK. Recruitments were conducted in the TV room of 9^th block, new subsystem heads appointed and a project plan was phased out for the 2009 season, after all making a race is not a half hours job.

"She's my baby"- Nishant Jain ( Engine Head)

Engine guys in the workshop

Reducing manufacturing time and effort was the major concern and the University boffins did agree with us.  Therefore FM09 got its skunk works in the Automobile polytechnic workshop (now the automobile workshop).Later did the team learnt that much of the space was preoccupied hydraulic jacks and huge drilling machines for FM, this was all secondary. Sootron ke mutabik (According to our sources), the no. 13 spanner, which the suspension guys guarded with their lives; topped the charts of the major issues the team had tackle.I feel that, Jeremy Clarkson (Top Gear, UK) would have had lesser issues while choosing the best 4 wheels for her 17 year old daughter. All he asked for ,was a bouncy castle with wipers.

Launch of FM09

The team’s main focus was car completion and it’s testing. Initials designed were quick to come and the errors were rectified faster.  As university funds came in, major equipments were purchased. The team specifically loved the new welding machine and everyone tried their hands on it, though only 2 of them mastered this art. Chassis fabrication began in full swing followed by the other subsystems bolting their parts soon, one by one. The goal was to be reliable and cost efficient .FM 09 had all the past experience taken into account and no stone was left unturned. Performance was to speak.

Since FM 08 gave results as it promised , the sponsors were delighted and many of them agreed to continue with our journey of building a race car. Formula Manipal also showcased their talent and interact with industry giants at the Bangalore Auto Expo where FM just got more glamorous. 

  Pneumatic gear shifting; Sleek side pods ; sexier, curvy and khatarnaak looks made FM09 the perfect eye catcher in the campus. 

In 2009, Formula Manipal was "10th most cost efficient car" out of the 88 visiting teams at Silverstone, UK

At the Auto Expo