Meet Pravega Racing - One Of India's Best Formula Student Teams

India has at its disposal a very large, capable talent pool of young engineers who are currently pursuing their studies in one of India’s many eminent engineering colleges…while at the same time chasing their passion. Many students in engineering colleges across the world take part in race competitions which challenge aspiring engineers to test their theoretical knowledge and put it to practical use by designing, building, testing and finally racing a formula car! The Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) based out of Vellore in Tamil Nadu, India is the home of Pravega Racing. Pravega Racing is one of India’s best college racing teams participating in various Formula Student competitions in India as well as abroad. Let us look at the journey of Pravega Racing and how they came to be one of India’s best college racing teams.

  

     

     Pravega Racing was founded in 2009 a group of VIT students, who wanted to leverage what they had learned in theory and practically apply it. Being a part of a car racing team is every young engineer’s dream…the team members of Pravega Racing are living that dream every day. The word ‘Pravega’ means accelerate in Sanskrit, an apt name for a race team! Pravega Racing is made up of a 42-member strong team, with all team members being bonafide students of VIT, Vellore. The team members come from various departments of engineering at VIT primarily – automobile, mechanical, electrical, etc. The team at Pravega Racing is divided into 8 different departments - Aerodynamics, Design, Composites, Data Acquisition, Vehicle Dynamics, Powertrain, Drivetrain, Brakes, Electrical and Management. Just like any other team sport, motorsport is not a one-man show it is a team effort. The core foundation of any successful motorsport team is unity, coordination, internal communication and time management. The members of Pravega Racing must balance both their studies as well as duties tasked with at Pravega, especially working after college hours late into the night and even on weekends, holidays. Pravega Racing takes part in the prestigious Formula Student events happening across the globe. Formula Student is a student engineering competition held annually across various countries in the world, this competition challenges participating college teams to design, build, test and race a formula-style race car.

    

      Over the years Formula Student has played a crucial part in developing, nurturing and promoting young engineers towards a smooth transition into the world of motorsport. The ambassadors of Formula Student are motorsport stalwarts the likes of – David Brabham, Paddy Lowe, and many others. The competition is held under 2 event types – static and dynamic. Static events include – engineering design, cost and sustainability analysis, business presentation, technical inspection. The dynamic events of Formula Student are – Skid Pad (figure of 8), 1km Autocross/Sprint, 22km Endurance, 75m Acceleration and Fuel Economy. To participate in Formula Student competitions teams, must first ace a registration test the results of which will decide eligibility to the competition. Pravega Racing primarily participates in Formula Student Germany (FSG) held at the Hockenheim circuit in Germany every year. FSG is the most challenging, coveted competition in the world of Formula Student. With participation from over 100 universities around the globe, FSG provides fierce competition as well as a great learning curve for participating teams and students. Pravega Racing gave its best performance at FSAE Australasia 2018 - being the highest-ranked FS team from India and 14th overall. At FSG 2019, Pravega Racing became the highest scoring Indian team in the Engineering Design Event in the history of FSG. The team scored its first podium in Formula Student by winning the "D-BASF Best Use of 3D Printing" award at FSG 2019. Pravega participated in Formula Bharat, the national Formula Student competition in 2017 and emerged the champions!

   Great things often have humble beginnings, the same holds true for Pravega Racing. From having space constraints and difficulties holding meetings, designing and manufacturing their car to being a full-fledged racing team with the support of sponsors, partners...the past decade has been a great one for Pravega Racing as they have cemented their place at the top of Formula Student in India. The lighter your car the faster it will drive! Weight saving and the use of composite material to manufacture a race car are paramount for success in any race competition. The CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymers) rims manufactured in-house by Pravega Racing ensure reduced weight which converts into a better performing car. Pravega Racing has been at the forefront of 3D printing usage and its application, having won awards for powertrain components, steering components, and brake calipers.

    Pravega Racing is a great example of what young Indian minds can achieve and a great testament to the promise of a limitless future that awaits young India. Pravega Racing is a matter of pride not only for VIT, Vellore but also for the entire nation. We at AutoGuru India are proud to be associated with Pravega Racing and strive to bring you everything you would want to know about them, watch this space for more!