Having passed the Screening Document phase on August 3, 2012, the Bimasakti UGM team is ready to compete in The 10th Student Formula SAE Competition of Japan 2012. The competition will take place from 3 to 7 September 2012 in ECOPA (Ogasayama Sport Park, Shizuoka World Cup Stadium), Airo-City, Japan, followed by 76 teams from various countries, including Japan, China, Thailand, India, Egypt and Indonesia.
According to the Chairman of the UGM Bimasakti, Akmal Irfan Majid, the competition will test the ability of design and construction, racing and endurance. They will also present the product to the users on student’s formula car vehicles. As many as 76 teams will follow the race in the category of Static Event and Dinamic Event. "We will try to achieve maximum results in every category," he said in the leadership conference room of UGM, Monday (6/8).
Akmal explained that to be in the competition this time, the UGM Bimasakti team has prepared a car design since last October 2011. Bimasakti UGM team is now continually making improvements for the 10th Formula Student Competition held by Japan Society of Automotive Engineers which requires strict Technical Inspection such as regulatory compliance, braking test, noise limit test, and slope and fluid leakage test.
Besides, rigorous testing for vehicle’s weight has been conducted as a condition of security in entering the phase of Dynamic Event. "This category equalizes acceleration, car speed test within 75 meters of straight track. Skidpad, cornering ability test in track resembling number 8, autocross in the form of test capabilities through a lap with a straight track and slalom, as well as Endurance & Fuel Economy in a 22 lap-endurance test and fuel consumption," Akmal said.
Meanwhile, the Static Event category will test the ability of student soft skills in preparing the cost analysis in the vehicle manufacturing process. In this category, presentation test on the vehicle design and Overall Presentation describing the reliability, worth selling factor and market segment analysis extensively will be done.
UGM Rector, Prof. Dr. Pratikno, M.Soc., Sc was proud of the achievements of the UGM Bimasakti team that will compete in Japan. UGM provides the facility to innovate to contribute to the development of the automotive industry in Indonesia. "I hope the innovation of UGM students is able to give a breakthrough for the automotive industry in Indonesia," he said.
Supervising Coordinator of UGM Bimasakti Team, Dr. Fauzun, said by doing improvements, the students are expected to be able to demonstrate the best achievement in formula car competition in Japan. The competition certainly challenges students to be more creative in problem solving. "The ability to solve problems, both technical and managerial, is certainly needed. This capability will certainly improve the quality of human resources extensively. The event is very educative to prepare engineer candidates of Indonesia," he added.