M

ushika Team, the producer of racing cars from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), will take part in the 10th Student Formula SAE Competition in Japan from Sept. 3 to Sept. 7, 2012.

The ITB team will compete with 76 other teams from various countries. “The team consists of 40 members from various schools. There are students who are in charge of technical and non-technical fields, including those searching for funds and handling publication,” chairman of the ITB team’s technical department Andreas said in Bandung on Tuesday.

Andreas explained that in order to join the competition to be held by the Japan Society of Automotive Engineers, each team had to pass document tests. Another Indonesian representative had also passed the test, so Indonesia would be represented in the small formula engineering competition in Aino City, Japan, he said.

Andreas further explained that the ITB team’s car, designed to have a capacity of 600 cc, had not been fully assembled. The car has a length of 2 meters and width of 120 centimeters as well as weight of 220 kilograms.

“We’re racing against time to finish the car’s fiberglass body, Andreas said, adding that the car would be shipped to Japan on Aug. 10, 2012.

 Andreas added that the manufacture of the car started last June. “We actually started the project in February. But due to scarcity of funds, it was halted in April. In the period between April and June, the team focused on searching for sponsors to fund the project,” he said.

The name Mushika itself, he said, was taken from the name of a big mouse belonging to the god Ganesha. The students intentionally used the name because Ganesha was the symbol of their campus.

Each team passing the test to Japan is allowed to take part in all competition categories - both static and dynamic events.

In the static event, the competition consists of tests for brake capability, system leakage and security. “Each driver must be able to get out of the car within five seconds. It is intended in case any unexpected things happen,” said the 22-year-old student.

The team has also been able to create cars whose designs are salable among young car racers. The engineering side is also represented.

“There is also a competition on how to produce the most effective and efficient manufacturing,”
Andreas said.

He added that in the dynamic event category, there were five numbers to be competed in. Number one is to be an acceleration test or a time record to take a straight lane at a length of 75 meters. Number two deals with the car’s capability test at a constant curve with a diameter of 15 to 17 meters.

“The rating for the handling is to test the steering and suspension system. The car also has to be able to speed along the track, the form of which is in the figure of eight. This is one of our targets,” Andreas said.

Mushika Team’s other targets include the autocross, in which the car’s maneuvering, stability and handling will be tested.

The two other tests will deal with the fuel use and durability of the car to run within 22 laps of the circuit. Each team has keep at a certain speed in relation to the fastest time, otherwise the team will be disqualified.

“We will strive to pass this test to prevent us from being disqualified,” Andreas said.

In its preparation, Mushika Team has targeted to win the best newcomer category.

If realized, these expectations could serve to help promote the name of Indonesia at the international level.