GOAL - Live the dream

Another one from "THE FM TROLLS". This one's specially for the team ...Good luck guys!!

Après la Pluie

Well, everyone had their way to enjoy monsoons . I have my own too.. and so do the team here at Formula Manipal.
Here are a few words by Heerak Thakar, Vehicle Dynamics on his first stay in summers at Manipal.


After six months of "Engineering" , vacations are only thing worth waiting for. 

We were instead waiting for the exams to end, so we could actually sit up and work in the workshop for as long as possible rather than having the fear of missing classes. It was the beginning of sleepless nights. There was no going back before 3 am and everyone was back there at the workshop at 9, next day. The team was waiting for these vacations to begin since the winter vacations in December were spent in the learning process. Now a full semester gone, the team was done with all the research and designs had begun to get finalized. The upcoming times seemed to be full of testing times wherein all the reading which had been done till now would be tested.

Summers began with trips to Bangalore for manufacturing . The geometries were still being iterated ,with chassis team facing difficulty with the mounting of the engine and differential. That was surely a tough task.

June and July is the peak season for Monsoons in Manipal. The atmosphere gets "chilled" out. The rains make work very tough but relieves you from the scorching heat on previous sem. Management Team had their own troubles, since rains made it difficult to move about and to avoid the ECU to get roasted, we preferred to avoid testing in this unpredictable weather. On the other hand it was very pleasant for the people working in the otherwise hot workshop. The first set of rains was enjoyed thoroughly by some team members by getting drenched in the rain but we had our mood swings often , since after sometime you get bored of water water everywhere..haha..!!

Summers also welcome the upcoming batches in MIT for their counselling. Since our workshop was in the vicinity of the counseling venue, it made most of the freshmen to drop in with their umbrellas and off course their parents. This meant keeping workshop cleaned at all points of time and making sure that we maintain the name of FM.

As the saying goes, that ‘All work and no play, makes one a dull boy’, we took our time off  to relax and recuperate, so that  our minds don't get coagulated. This called for new ways of relaxing and team building, which were found in playing games such as Cricket and Soccer. And of course a couple of parties to drown into. To make sure we deserve the free time, we used to slog the whole week, kept up with the deadlines and made sure work was efficient.

All in all, the Summers 2012 surely was an amazing time spent at Formula Manipal. The rain drops falling in front of the workshop made working even more pleasing. And as we say, work doesn’t remain just work at Formula Manipal, it becomes a part of you. You do it as you feel like doing it. 

Heerak Thakkar
Vehicle Dynamics

…

Nishad- Subbu - FMXI

THE STORY OF FM XI.


This one is specially dedicated to Nishad Sabnis , Team Leader (FM XI) and Arjun Subramanian, Team Leader ( FM 13). 

Rise

Recent update from the workshop. The FORMULA MANIPAL Chassis for Season 2013 is now ready.
The picture says it all. The endless efforts of the Structure guys. As a gift of appreciation, i feel they deserve a nights sleep now...Good job!!

FM 13 on its ways

A few new things

The Paint Job

Inspired by NISHANT JAIN, one of the founding members of Formula Manipal and owner of The Testimonial Comics. 

P.S : i know any class three child can beat me ...but still i am who i am..:D

Alumni Affairs

KINSHUK PANDA (Head of Engine operations) , alumni of FM  and one of the founding members of Team 2013 along with Wasim Afzal (Structure) shares his experience and memories at Formula Manipal. Any efforts to type it or edit it would have tampered the emotions and feelings thus, i prefered not to edit it.
So, directly from my mailbox, here is it:    

Kinshuk Panda- when he is serious

I remember the first time I walked into the workshop. It had been raining incessantly that day and I had been called for my interview at a rather unusual time of 10 pm. As I walked in, the first thing I noticed was the car, it was unlike anything I had ever seen before. My interview began a few minutes later and went on till midnight. Thankfully it was a good interview and after the successive task phase, I finally made it into the team. 
Starting out in Formula Manipal wasn't exactly easy. It was unlike any club in manipal. It was a project. There were strict deadlines that had to be met, a canon of research to be understood and learn different software, the names of which sound alien. We clocked long hours late in to the night but just getting enough sleep to wake up in time for the class the subsequent morning. One month into the team only a few recruits had left, the majority stayed. It was because we like doing what we did. We got to design components, learn concepts not only in design but even manufacturing that were not even the part of our curriculum. Put things into perspective, only a handful of the large number of people out there will ever get such an intimate chance to build a car in their lives.

Recreation time

Now coming to the engine, the subsystem that I had opted for. I got really great pragmatic seniors in the form of apurva and pradeep who helped me while they were a part of the team. This further served as an incentive to give in all that I had into the project. But come october and the FMX launch, we ran into a hurdle, a really BIG hurdle. On the eve while we were packing up to take the car to manipal.edu, The engine refused to start! Ohh the pains that we had to go to. The new guys in the engine couldn't do anything ( we knew so little compared to the seniors) I remember staying up till 4 am in the parking lot, assisting apurva and nishad in whatever possible way I could. Well the launch didn't see a running car. 
We had no option but to ship it to racedynamics bangalore where a fault was found in the electrical system (electronics team, I really detested you at this point of time) finally the engine coughed up and ran. What a joyous occasion was that. 
The car came back and we started with the manufacturing phase. We saw a few vehicle runs during this time and different components had been sent for manufacturing. And we finally got a dyno run in late april early may. The car clocked a 71.4 bhp rating on the dyno and we couldn't have been happier. That month also saw me stranded in Pune 4 days before my end semester examination. Fortunately I got back just in time to attend all the papers.
The summer holidays after the end sem exams saw the maximum activity. The engine team had been reduced to two people, shubham and me. The new intake manifold had arrived and the exhaust system was built in coimbatore. Now coimbatore lies in Tamil Nadu. Its a funny little palce. The people there for some particular reason refuse to understand english, forget hindi. Even the mosty dingy hotel will charge you 600 a night and for some particular reason I saw a lot of drunk and stoned people. One had been a bit too adventurous. He was lying in a drain upside down. I don't know what he was doing. 

With Nagamalla Thrilok 

So we finally had an exhaust manifold ready and we came back to have the car ready for testing in hyderabad. As usual nothing can happen in FM without a major scene being created. the first group had left for testing without the radiator! Jimmy and I literally had to chase a volvo in a honda Dio. I know it sounds stupid but that was the only mode of transportation available at that point of time. Finally after literally cheating death twice, we caught these guys 70 km from manipal at a place called byndoor. The best part about this escapade was probably the return journey. The hondas lights didn't work, and it had started to rain. We took a pitstop near turtle bay and had some hot gobi manchurian and tea. Finally being guided by headlights of several trucks and buses we reached the confines of manipal and boy were we elated.
I finally went for testing to hyderabad and saw the car running at its full potential. However by the july the car had developed a major snag that seriously marred the reliability. It wasn't a good time for me either. I met with an accident and lost a tooth (I know of all the things).
Come august end it was time for europe! I was excited because I had never been there. We first went to paris and varano de melegari. Staying at the campsite was major fun. We played several beer games (and I outperformed several germans as well in drinking beer), sang songs and danced. It was a great experience.
We came back from italy and decided to build a car for 2013 so that we have plenty of time in the process to ensure reliabilty. The car is in the works right now and the juniors have taken over the reins. We shall see if it pays off or not by next year.

Orientation 2013 with
Divya, Divesh, Aditya and Wasim 

To sum it up, formula manipal was an experience. You worked with 20 people who become your closest friends. You have some light moments involving humor and little things that make the 5pm to 2 am working schedule enjoyable. Then you have the barbeque or the parties at deetee upon achieving something, but coming back the following morning to work again. And then you have testing times. People go without sleep for 50 hours at a stretch, come to the workshop after getting off the bus from bangalore, chasing a bus out on the highway, living under adverse conditions just to ensure the car runs. These things make life at Formula Manipal very special. Yes it took a toll on my social life but I think when compared with the fact that I helped build a car from scratch, I think I can live with it. FSAE helps one realize his potential through the challenges it throws at us. It tests our character, composure and leadership abilities. In a gist, It gives a glimpse of how the world outside is and helps us to grow. 

HACHIKO ..

"Animals are such agreeable friends- they ask no questions ; they pass no criticisms"

Sleeping

It was around 17:30 hours and i was walking, walking fast. People walking by, gave a " dude, exams are zillion day away" look as i moved down the chemical alley. A laptop and a few books , the sprung mass on my back how could anyone miss that . I was all excited , imagining how would it be like to live the dream. I had earned it and wanted to live its each moment. I could see the seniors in the workshop and i my nervousness meter blew up. As i stepped in the verandah, i see all the seniors playing football. Playing football with a dog. This is when Subbu's eye caught the attention of the newcomer. "Say Hello to the FM Dog", he said to me.

Awake.. :D

I remember the first Sunday meeting. All of us were busy cleaning the workshop when i see this quadruped animal making its way safely out of falling electronics and greasy floor . He was cute, small, delicate, shiny brown and furry with no leash around his neck. He used to relax in the verandah, under the body works or near the tires (actually wherever he felt like). He was loved by everyone. We taught him football and thereafter he was the Messi of our recreation time. Everyone made sure that he was fed properly , so no one hesitated in getting a packet of Parle -G and Milk. He loved it.

Sleeping again

Not only he was cute but also understanding and mature. At times when sparks, dust and noise was around , he understood that guys are at work and preferred not to disturb. He would then make his way quietly to the cosy corners of the verandah and lay down peacefully and wait patiently for the team to finish their work.


The very sight of it's bright eyes and wagging tail brightened up our day. Despite being playful and friendly, it is very obedient and took all our instructions without any complaints. He used to bark off bravely , the campus dogs( since he had us all to back him up). Chaudh thi bhai uski.!

Season 2013

Well, the 2013 season is on and now you must be wondering i am late to mention about them. Well its not that late,  the FM 13 team is about to complete one year of their journey in building a race car. An year that was full of masti, sleepless nights, and hard work.A team that matured with time ,equally in their personal and professional lives.

In the words of the famous John Buchan;

"The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit it, for the greatness is there already"

Lead by Arjun Subramanian a.k.a Subbu , one of the most technically sound person in the college and Team manager, Jimmy Cherian- undoubtedly the smartest person i have ever met, both have their unique way of teaching and trust me ,they teach you really well.

SUBBU

Their contribution has been immense and is unaccountable .Right from binding the team to incorporating that fun element, so that none of us feel exhausted and tired, they know it all . As they are about to graduate from college , we will definately miss their scoldings, their love, their passion for every desire they ever had, their skills, the testing times and the podium finishes in Sunday meetings. The workshop is their home, is their recreation center. They understand that building a race car is not a half hour's job. They respect it.

JIMMY CHERIAN

With great power, comes great responsibility and our seniors made sure that we never fail to realize it every time we step into the workshop. Its because of their efforts that we college brats/ nomads became human enough to build a race car. They don't give a damn about the world and always listen to what their heart calls for.

There exists no possible way in which we can thank them. As they are about to graduate and step out for a new beginning , FM 13 team wishes them all the luck for their future endevours, their dreams and their desire to conquer it.

The beast of FM 13 is on its way. 

Stay tuned to our blog for upcoming updates

Team 2013

NOTE:  By the time you finished reading this article, the uprights have been manufactured, jigs and fixtures ready, management has brought a in few more sponsors, half shafts have been heat treated(nitrided ), stub axle is ready and final inserts have been sent for manufacturing.       

Test Run FMXI

After remaining dormant for about 2 months , FM XI was ready to roll again. Here's a glimpse of the test run which after hours of struggle commenced at 0530 hours.

LATE NIGHT, 0300 HOURS                                                               APRIL,2012                                      

“Crank, cam and TPS sensors connected hai ??; Anderson- se start karna hai ; EGT, IAT ; ECT – perfect ….  Gaadi neutral mein hai naa? - Yup.

Fuel pump and the fan switched on. Fire extinguisher, on standby. Shift light blinks 6 times (good sign) .Abey exhaust muffler ke saamne se hut!! Perfect!  We good to go.

Tushar, (our electronics guy), grabs the throttle and pushes the ignition switch. Fingers crossed. The beast was about to rise after a deep sleep.  Its dead silence in the workshop. Only the engine roared”

The engine cranks and roars louder at each stroke. At 11000 RPM, the exhaust down pipe is a smoking babe screaming as if it’s her nightmare and I don’t want to get any closer to this engine. It’s the HONDA CBR 600 RR engine and that’s why the car is so fast. It accelerates from 0-100 in 4.8s with a max engine power -72 BHP at 12000RPM.

this was the first time when the FM 2013 team felt the might of the powerful engine. it was truly a bliss to watch the car accelerate .the chain did come off a few times but transmission managed to align it back in no time. since the road was a bit bumpy, suspension had to be adjusted  in a way the the body work doesnt kiss the ground. 

All of us gave our everything in making this test run a success and what a test run it was.