I began my journey with Veloce Racing in my second year of undergraduate studies. I still remember that Veloce had scheduled interviews for early September 2018. I was new to the university and didn't know many people. I joined the Engine and Powertrain subsystem of the team. Having always been fascinated by cars and engines, and with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering, I had a solid understanding of combustion vehicles. This background made me comfortable joining the engine subsystem.
Veloce Racing is a Formula Student Team at Vishwakarma Institute of Technology (VIT), Pune, which designs, manufactures, and tests a Formula 1 prototype car based on a rulebook by SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers). Veloce Racing participates in two main events in India: SAE Supra and Formula Bharat. Both events follow a similar pattern, with competitions divided into Static and Dynamic Events, extending up to five days.
In the early days of Veloce, our seniors emphasized the values of hard work and perseverance. I still remember our first week on the team when we were required to stay in the workshop until 9 or 10 PM after classes to read and learn the rules. Initially, my colleagues and I were quite frustrated, but over time, we realized the importance of this discipline. From the start, I worked on the air intake system, an integral part of the Engine subsystem. The air intake system provides a clear air passage to the engine. The shape, internal surface, and volume of the air intake play a significant role in generating power for the engine. According to the rulebook, the intake must be designed so that the first part to touch the ground in an accident is the chassis, not the air intake. Additionally, the restriction of a 20 mm venturi diameter significantly impacts the car's performance.
Key milestones achieved during my time included shifting from a metal intake to a carbon fiber intake, changing our design from a top-entry to a side-entry intake, and completing a dyno test on the car to find the right intake.
During my period with the team, from September 2018 to March 2020, we participated in three events: Formula Bharat 2019, Formula Bharat 2020, and Supra 2019. Supra 2019 was my most successful competition, where we became National Level Champions among 120 teams and won seven more awards, including first in design and best car in dynamic events. Another significant achievement was Formula Bharat 2020, a tougher competition, where we were Runners-up among 60 teams and also won 3rd prize in the design event. Additionally, in 2020, we were selected for Formula Student Germany (FSG Combustion) in Germany.
Veloce Racing taught me many valuable lessons that still help me in my graduate studies and work. Technically, it made me sound. The biggest takeaway was working on the shop floor, which helped me learn hands-on skills. It also helped me think critically and solve problems through research and collaboration with colleagues. Veloce Racing taught me how to work towards a single goal as part of a team and achieve success. Moreover, I made many friends in college who shared my mentality, which helped me grow and learn new things. Veloce Racing was and always will be a significant part of my life.
MY JOURNEY-VELOCE RACING