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Rediff.com  » Getahead » These Indian students have created an F1 car!
This article was first published 15 years ago

These Indian students have created an F1 car!

Last updated on: July 30, 2009 

When they decided to build a Formula racing car, they were looking at building something that would win.

Earlier this week, the Orion racing team from the K J Somaiya College of Engineering in Mumbai shipped their car to Germany, to compete in the Formula Student Germany International Design Competition.

The 50 member team who built the car, nicknamed Stallion, say it will clear all tests of the competition. It uses a Honda CBR 600cc 85bhp engine with a top speed of 120 kmph.

A project four years in the making


Each member took charge of one aspect of the car -- like the steering, chassis, steel framework, suspension... and they are proud of the technical advancements they've achieved.

"I still remember the Orion racing team four years ago," says the college founder's grandson and the college trustee, Samir S Somaiya. "They did not have a place for a workshop to build the car... and how they started with a toothpick model."

'We're sure to win!'


Three years ago, this team succeeded in building a car. They took it to Germany for the competition, where they passed the technical specifications. However, the race was over by then.

Last year, they became the first Indian car to finish a few laps in the Formula Student competition. This year, they are sure they'll win!