The fruit of cumulative wisdom: PolyU E-Formula Racing Team

Among the members of The PolyU E-Formula Racing Team, “Why this, but not that?” may be the question most frequently raised among members of The PolyU E-Formula Racing Team. Since the establishment of the team in 2015, members have been asking this in workgroups, at meetings, day and night. How collective wisdom led to their first complete autocross run in 2019 is one fascinating story.

In every race season, the racing team has to design, manufacture, test their new formula student car, and be technically and logistically ready to participate in Formula Student Competition.

The team has a steep learning curve and an extremely tight schedule on race car components design, as well as devising solutions for a countless number of problems. Team members hope the design of their racer could be even more creative and innovative. However, innovation and practicality are two parallel lines. Innovative designs may not always be practical. Hence, the sub-teams need to discover the problems then find the cause of them. Members would share all of their thoughts and possible solutions among teammates, senior members and team advisor, discuss together. Eventually, a better idea or design would be reached.

Difficulties? Definitely a lot. Perhaps the most challenging one is to balance academic and racing team workload within the given deadlines.

And more importantly, in such a team with more than 45 members with over 25 international members, the most crucial task is to make sure the connection and communication between its many sub-teams are smooth and effective.

FORMULA STUDENT

Formula SAE (FSAE) and Formula Student China (FSC) are international collegiate design and manufacture competitions about automotive engineering for undergraduate and graduate students. They are often referred to as the cradle of automotive engineers. FSAE/FSC are held globally each year in 5 continents in over 13 countries with over 570 teams worldwide. The competition promotes careers and excellence in engineering design and project management skills as it encompasses all aspects of the automotive industry including research, design, manufacturing, testing, developing, marketing, management, and finances.

Mr Ng Chun Yin Michael
Vice Captain, PolyU E-Formula Racing Team 2020
BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering

Mr Tam Chun Yiu Brian
Captain, PolyU E-Formula Racing Team 2020
BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering

Mr Loong Cheng Sheng
Vice Captain, PolyU E-Formula Racing Team 2020
BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering

Mr Karan Patel
Deputy Technical Director, PolyU E-Formula Racing Team 2020
BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering
Faculty of Engineering

Domain Expertise:

Automotive Engineering

The team, HKPolyU Racing Team, participates in Formula Student competitions, which are automotive engineering competitions. The team focuses on designing, manufacturing, and testing a Formula Student electric vehicle. They mention various aspects of automotive engineering, such as vehicle performance, design analysis, manufacturing, powertrain, suspension systems, frame construction, aerodynamics, and vehicle control units. Their knowledge and skills in automotive engineering are essential for building a competitive racing car.

Manufacturing Processes and Design Analysis

The team members mention their involvement in manufacturing processes, such as component design, frame construction, suspension system development, and assembly. They also mention conducting design analysis, optimizing performance parameters, balancing suspension characteristics, and ensuring safety factors. Their knowledge of manufacturing processes and design analysis is crucial for creating a functional and safe racing car.

Sponsorship and Financial Management

The team members mention their experience in seeking sponsors, conducting business meetings, and managing financial aspects related to the team's operations. They highlight their skills in communication, negotiation, and financial planning. Their knowledge of sponsorship seeking and financial management demonstrates their understanding of the practical aspects of running a racing team and securing resources for the project.

Lifelong Learning Excellence:

Critical Thinking and Problem-solving

The ability to effectively understand the severity of problems and prioritize them accordingly is crucial in overcoming obstacles faced during the season. Prioritizing tasks and finding solutions to multiple problems arising simultaneously is essential for success.
Managing time and balancing heavy workloads is vital, especially for team captains and leaders. Effective time management allows individuals to handle their academic studies, team duties, and administrative tasks efficiently.

Continuous Improvement and Learning from Mistakes

Emphasizing the importance of adapting to failures and learning from them. Mistakes are inevitable, but it is essential to avoid repeating them and instead prepare alternative plans to adapt to unexpected deviations between manufacturing and designing.

Project Management and Teamwork

Skills in managing and leading a team, including assigning roles and responsibilities, boosting team morale, and monitoring the progress of sub-teams. Team leaders must motivate team members and ensure everyone is working towards a common goal.

Communication and Presentation Skills

The ability to professionally communicate with manufacturers, seek guidance from experts, and collaborate effectively with teammates and staff members. Good communication skills facilitate smoother interactions and productive teamwork.

Strategic Planning

Emphasizing the importance of planning and conducting thorough research at the beginning of the season. Constructing a milestone plan, conducting technical and managerial research, and seeking advice from alumni members and advisors contribute to knowledge enrichment and project success.
Understanding the importance of setting realistic goals and not getting carried away with excitement. Being realistic with objectives helps maintain focus and ensures that goals can be achieved within the given timeframe.

Accountability and Motivation

Encouraging a strong drive and determination within the team. A motivated group of students can produce great results by overcoming challenges and dedicating their time and energy to a project.

Networking and Collaboration

Acknowledging the value of knowledge passed down from previous team members. Learning from the mistakes and successes of previous seasons can save time and help new team members catch up quickly. Seeking help and guidance from experienced members fosters continuous improvement.

Resourcefulness and Adaptability to New Contexts

Highlighting the practical industrial training opportunities available at the university and the benefits of gaining knowledge and experience in relevant industries. Practical experience, such as working with manufacturers or engaging in business meetings, can be advantageous in future career endeavors.

Reflection and Self-awareness

Mentioning personal growth through practical engineering experience, team management, sponsor seeking, and financial management. The racing team experience contributes to becoming a more strategic and efficient individual with comprehensive knowledge in design, manufacturing, and cross-functional skills.

Inspiring Quotes:

Entrepreneurship & Lifelong Learner
"Adapting the failure, accepting the failure, not letting the failure become a habit for me and preparing the failure. There’s always mistakes in real life. We cannot let the mistakes fill up our feelings. What we can do is to avoid those mistakes next time. However, sometimes there are unavoidable deviations between manufacturing and designing. Since we knew that would happen even though we have tried to close the gap between manufacturing and designing, we will have to prepare some plan B’s to adapt to those mistakes."
Mr Loong Cheng Sheng

Innovative Problem Solver
"Planning and research is the key. At the beginning of the season, they should construct a milestone plan, determine their design, manufacturing and testing period. At the same time, do a lot of research in order to enrich the knowledge required on technical design or team management as soon as possible, including reading reference books and papers, seeking advice from alumni members, team advisors or even other teams in the competition."
Mr Tam Chun Yiu Brian

Professional Competence
"I have had the privilege to learn some basic working principles within some of the relevant industries. One of the most prominent would be the manufacturing industry, where I was able to learn how to professionally communicate with manufacturers regarding the production of a particular component. We were also lucky enough to have massive support from the Industrial Center throughout the seasons,as they have been able to help us by providing facilities, advice, equipment and also promote our team to potential sponsors."
Mr Karan Patel

Teamwork
"I would emphasize that PolyU Racing Team is a continuous team, and it always has more knowledge and experience accumulated year by year, and it makes a lot of mistakes at the same time. In order to make the team keep advancing, I strongly encourage the newcomers to never feel shame to ask questions as you must have plenty of it when you pick up the tasks. Meanwhile, me and all senior members will always stress that we are always willing and waiting to provide assistance to you."
Mr Loong Cheng Sheng

Explore More:

The pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey! To further expand your knowledge and continue your personal and professional growth. Click and explore the following learning resources:

Domain Knowledge OER