WPI's 2009 Formula SAE Racecar

The design and construction of the 2009 car has begun. Many design choices, material selections, and analytical decisions have been made. The layout has been considered, and several key features have been decided upon.

  • Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) for improved autocross performance and less driver strain
  • Genesis 80FI engine from a Yamaha Phazer snowmobile
  • Simple and effective rear suspension, incorporating a swing-arm type solid axle and closed differential
  • Double-wishbone front suspension incorporating outward shock mounting for increased simplicity and lighter weight
  • Vehicle weight, excluding driver and fuel, of less than 350 pounds
  • Overall focus on simplicity, lightness, and reliability

    • These features represent a dramatic departure from most previous FSAE designs, as well as from formula-style racecar design in general. The CVT should allow for more focused driving through both decreased mental strain, as well as through the ability to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times. As FSAE cars are designed for tight and quick autocross courses, the power loss with a CVT versus a conventional sequential manual transmission will be outweighed by the ability to have optimum gearing at all times.

    This is the first year that WPI has used the Yamaha Phazer engine. This high-performance fuel-injected parallel twin makes 80 horsepower in stock trim and is designed to work with a CVT.

    A closed-diff solid-axle rear suspension, while crude compared to more modern double-wishbone style layouts with differentials, is far simpler and lighter. Additionally, no power or reliability is lost through CV joints or differentials.

    The overall focus on simplicity is for two main reasons. Firstly, a simple car should inherently be more reliable than a complex one. Secondly, a simple car should be easier, less expensive, and faster to build than a complex design. This will afford extra time for testing, analysis, and driving practice.

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