UNS – Bengawan Team of Formula Student Automotive Engineering Universitas Sebelas Maret (FSAE UNS) Surakarta with their Astaka car successfully managed to pass the minimum point to compete on Shizuoka circuit stadium in the 2017 Student Formula Japan (SFJ). SFJ is a prestigious annual automotive event organized by Japan Society of Automotive Engineering.
This topped their achievement last year, in which they also competed in the event but did not qualify due to lack of minimum score required. Plenty of innovation and upgrade was done to the Astaka car this year. The upgrades included addition of front and back spoiler, engine performance upgrade, as well as addition to valve on the face of the car for better aerodynamics settings.
A member of FSAE UNS’s Bengawan Team, Bhre Wangsa Lenggana, said that although he and the team did not win the awards, competing in SFJ 2017 itself was already a big accomplishment, for they had to complete several stages before being able to compete in the event. Preparation were done since January although the event was held on 4-9th of September.
The manufacturing of Astaka cars were also very costly. It took at least ± 120 million rupiahs, which were obtained from Ministry of Higher Education, UNS, sponsors, and also UNS global challenge.
“The process of manufacturing and assembly has been started since January to August. Then we completed the requirements to compete in SFJ 2017, which include car specification, car eligibility video, and several other documents. After we send that, we are pronounced eligible to compete in SFJ 2017,” Bhre added.
This achievement got positive feedback from the dean of Faculty of Engineering UNS, Dr. Sholichin MT.
“I really appreciate what the students have gained. The team from UNS is experiencing rapid progress compared to last year,” said Sholichin. humas-red.uns/Sav/Eln