XLR8 Formula - Igniting passion for Automotive Engineering

In the thrilling world of automotive engineering , where speed, precision, and innovation converge, stands SAE TKMCE’s XLR8 Formula, a group of passionate and driven students from TKMCE, dedicated to pushing the boundaries of engineering excellence.

The ‘XLR8’ in the team name refers to acceleration, emphasizing the speed and performance aspects of their designs.Established in 2017, the XLR8 Formula Student Team is united by their love for automotive engineering and motorsports. Dedicated to designing, building, and competing with Formula-style race cars, XLR8 Formula participates in renowned competitions like Formula Bharat and Formula SAE.

Beyond the racetrack, XLR8 serves as a collaborative platform for students, offering hands-on experience in every aspect of the project, from initial concept to fabrication. It serves as a vibrant community, nurturing the future generation of automotive engineers at TKMCE.

Main goals and objectives of the team:

Drivability: The vehicle must be easy and comfortable for everyone to drive.

Reliability: The vehicle must complete all Dynamic events and be placed overall in the top.

Manufacturability: The vehicle must be designed such that the manufacturing of the vehicle is timely, simple and cost effective.

Weight reduction: Reduction of unsprung mass is one of the main agenda.

Formula Bharat - Student engineering design competition

Formula Bharat stands as a pinnacle in Indian engineering design competitions, focused on building formula-style race cars.It places students at the forefront of real-world engineering challenges, compelling them to apply their skills in designing, manufacturing, and testing vehicles while adhering to strict technical regulations. Key focal points include vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics, and performance optimization, with the competition split into two main categories: static events and dynamic events.

The competition is divided into 2 categories: Static and Dynamic. The static events encompass critical components such as business presentations, cost analysis, and design evaluations. On the other hand, dynamic events test the vehicles' endurance, efficiency, acceleration, and maneuverability through activities like endurance races, efficiency measurements, autocross events, acceleration tests, and skid pad challenges.

Participation in Formula Bharat not only hones students' project management, problem-solving, and teamwork skills but also exposes them to fields beyond pure engineering. Teams delve into marketing strategies, financial management, and sponsorship acquisition, mirroring the multifaceted challenges prevalent in the automotive industry.

Moreover, Formula Bharat ignites a passion for motorsports and engineering innovation among India's youth, nurturing a new generation of engineers poised to make significant contributions to the field.

Participation

2019-2020

XLR8 Formula's first participation in Formula Bharat came about through the eager but uninformed early registration of a handful of enthusiastic students who hadn't fully grasped the event's significance beforehand. Despite their initial lack of understanding, the experience proved to be valuable exposure for the team. Leveraging their past knowledge, they integrated custom springs and pushrods into their design. being freshmen to such a large-scale competition, they encountered numerous challenges, including limited funding and difficulties comprehending the event's magnitude. Unfortunately, they couldn't clear the technical inspection. Despite this setback, their performances in various presentations earned them commendable rankings: 32nd in cost presentation, 33rd in design presentation, and 39th in business presentation, resulting in an overall rank of 41st among the 80 competing teams.

2020-2021

SAE TKMCE took part in Formula Bharat 2020-2021 with a team consisting of 35 members, the majority of whom were newcomers to the competition. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the event underwent significant changes, condensing from four stages to just two and transitioning to a virtual format. The challenges posed by lockdown measures and pandemic-related difficulties created obstacles in terms of accessibility and coordination within the team. Nevertheless, despite these hurdles, the team managed to secure commendable rankings, achieving 21st place in the 'Business Plan' category, 34th place in 'Engineering Design', and an overall ranking of 28th.

2022-2023

After the pandemic, all events were slowly transitioning from virtual to offline mode. This season, the team started procuring materials for building their first formula car that would clear the technical inspection. But participation in the event was hindered by some unforeseen circumstances. The team participated in the static category of Formula Bharath in January 2023 and secured an All-India rank of 31 with AIR 15 in Business Plan Presentation and AIR 21 in Cost and Manufacturing Event.

2023-2024

In 2023, following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the XLR8 team made a triumphant return by competing in the ISIE Formula Imperial competition held in Delhi, marking the first offline event post-pandemic. Notably, the team achieved a significant milestone by successfully manufacturing a full-fledged formula race car for the first time. Their efforts were rewarded with an impressive 15th rank in the 'Combustion' category among competing teams. With a team comprising 45 members, they actively participated in both static and dynamic sections of the competition. The support and guidance of alumni from the college played a pivotal role in assisting team members and contributing to their success in multiple aspects of the competition.

In 2024, the XLR8 - Formula team makes a triumphant return to the world of Formula Bharat. With high expectations, fueled by their prior experience of the competition's magnitude, the team delivers a stellar performance. Their efforts are reflected in their rankings across various presentations, culminating in an impressive overall rank of AIR 19. The XLR8 - Formula team eagerly anticipates the prestigious SAE Supra competition in November 2024.

Get ready to witness history in the making as the team embarks on a journey to conquer new heights in automotive engineering and redefine excellence on the racetrack!