The last time we properly caught up with Sussex Racing was in 2018; what has been happening since then?
Lucy Uffindell-Saunderson (LUS): Since 2018, we have changed and grown to a team of 60 members. We have focused on strengthening our new Sussex Racing brand and image, with our main change being that we are now alternating between producing an Internal Combustion and an Electric vehicle. This year we will be producing an Internal Combustion vehicle and will produce an electric vehicle for the 2022 competition.
As well as this change between alternating production, this is the first year that the Concept Class Team will comprise of both third year bachelors and fourth year masters students. We hope this collaboration between years that will develop a test bench and mechanical components of the vehicle will lead to a successful finish for the first ever Electric Vehicle in Sussex Racing history.
Given you’ve been a part of the team since we visited in 2018, what would you say to yourself back in 2018?
LUS: Looking back over the years, the advice I would give would be to focus on getting designs finalised in the first phase of the project (our third year) so that in fourth year the focus can just be on manufacturing. I would also say do not just focus on having the best car, focus on having a reliable car that can be manufactured in time to have sufficient testing time before the event.
Finally, I would say enjoy every minute and every experience this project brings as the knowledge and skills you gain from being part of Formula Student is invaluable.
How has COVID been affecting the team and how have you been overcoming any related issues?
LUS: We are very fortunate to have the full support of Sussex University, who has helped us ensure that the manufacturing of our car has been able to continue in a COVID secure environment since the start of September. Without the support of our amazing technicians and faculty members at the University of Sussex this project would not have been possible.
A memorable moment for me was my first team shirt swap with Ryan Oakley (the team’s former communications director in 2018) - what have been your best moments so far?
LUS: Our most memorable moment this year would probably be when our chassis and wishbones arrived in our garage. This moment was great motivation for the team seeing our designs being manufactured and seeing that we were one step closer to the 2021 competition.
What made you and/or some of your team members join Formula Student?
Keith Summers (KS): Attending an open day at Sussex and being introduced to the Sussex Racing team was my first exposure to the competition, it seemed to me to be the natural path to take whilst studying an automotive engineering degree. When the opportunity arose in my third year there was no doubt in my mind that this was what I wanted to do. The Formula Student project offered all the things I was looking for, engineering projects based around vehicle technology especially anything to do with powertrains, the opportunity to compete, and to use your ingenuity to problem solve.
What would you say to anyone just starting FS for the first time this year?
KS: Of course, you are taking on a large challenge, so be prepared for the workload. More specifically, if you want to be successful then learn to communicate, now more than ever effective communication is a challenge but to execute your own project and to make a meaningful contribution to the team effect communication is key.
Lastly, when the pressure is mounting, go watch an old video of the competition or sit in one of the team’s old cars; you’ll remember why you love what you are doing and you will feel good about where you are going.
What do you think Sussex Racing in particular bring to the competition?
KS: Sussex Racing brings a professional yet irreverent team spirit, this year we have strived to produce a more complete team, working closely with the concept class as well as joining forces with Sussex Electric under one banner. We hope this new approach will make this our most successful year to date. In pursuit of this we are fielding an E85 fuelled supercharged 4-cylinder car with a structurally optimised tubular steel chassis.
Who or what inspires you and the team?
KS: Our team ethos this year has been to approach all elements of the competition from first principles, a concept Elon Musk has championed and one, which we gladly emulate. My personal inspiration comes from engineers such as Gordon Murray, who search for innovative solutions within the rule set and who reject tradition when it stands in the way of progress. Mat Fraser, a CrossFit athlete whose motto is “Hard work pays off” and holds an engineering degree also inspires me to put in that extra hour of work, knowing the reward at the end will be worth it.
Who in the team deserves some recognition for their work?
KS: This year the team has worked so hard collectively to produce our car that its difficult to choose just one person. However, several people and teams do deserve recognition for going the extra mile. The Christmas Chassis team, you know who you are, you guys deserve a huge thank you for the time you spent getting the drawings ready for the manufacturing process. Oli Wilson, our chief engineer who has worked tirelessly to keep our team on track. Ivan Reed, our vehicle dynamics team leader and rear suspension engineer who has quietly taken on additional projects. And finally, as a team we would like to send our best wishes to Ivan Galkin who is stuck in Russia and is a little under the weather, get well soon mate.
Is there anyone you would like to thank?
LUS: We would like to thank Santander, Widening Participation, the University of Sussex, RS Components, Expleo, Zero Exhausts, BG Developments & Easy Composites for their continued support over the years. We would also like to thank and welcome two new partners WRX Trade and Zuken.
We would like to thank all the faculty at the University of Sussex that have supported us through such a difficult year. A special shoutout to Christopher Long, our academic supervisor, David Tucker, the technical services manager, Richard Atkins, our faculty advisor and the amazing technicians at our university Michel Sacre, Liam Kileen and Kevin Brady. We would also like to thank all of the amazing engineering staff within the school office who have also supported us behind the scenes ensuring this project can go ahead.
KS: And finally, I’d like to say thank you to my girlfriend Gabriele for her continued support, which without I would surely not have succeeded in my studies.
Thanks so much to Lucy and Keith for taking the time to share their updates and we look forward to seeing how their alternating strategy for vehicle development translates to success on the tarmac. Keep your eyes open for a separate interview with Faaris Sheikh, Sussex Racing Concept's Team Leader, which will be published on the Formula Student website shortly.
In the meantime, be sure to follow Sussex Racing on their website as well as on their social media channels to catch up on their build in the run up to the competition this summer.
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