In July 2007 Göran Karlsson (Formula Students faculty advisor at Karlstad University) brought a group of students to Silverstone Circuit to see what Formula Student was all about and to see how the competition worked. The idea of the trip was that it would result in the start of a Formula Student project at Karlstad University – which happened in the fall of 2007.

Clear River Racing is the name that the team took when building the first car, CRR08, and it is still the name that is used for the Formula Student project at Karlstad University. Clear River Racing has participated nine times in the competitions at Silverstone Circuit and in July 2017, Clear River Racing finished in third place.

Besides participating in the competition at Silverstone Circuit Clear River Racing has participated in the competition Baltic open for four years as well as having hosted the competition at one time. Baltic open is an unofficial competition for Formula Student team’s where focus lies on dynamic events – the driving. Static events such as reports and presentations are replaced with more racing and the winner gets the honor to arrange the competition for the next year. Scrutineering is of course still a mandatory part during these unofficial competitions to make sure the cars are safe enough to enter the track.

After Clear River Racing placed as number three in Baltic open in Tallin 2010 we got the chance to host the competition in Karlstad during 2011, even though we didn’t win. In August 2011 we arranged the competition in Karlstad and it was a very fun and successful event!

There is also a world ranking of Formula Student teams, Formula Student World, where Clear River Racing at the moment is placed 374th of a total of 612 teams. The placement on the world ranking list is based on the results from the last three years official Formula Student competitions. This particular world ranking includes teams who uses a combustion engine.

Formula Student is a global engineering competition which is run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The participating teams design, build compete with a singel-seat, open wheel race car, in other words a smaller version of a formula 1 car. The competition takes place annually in different locations around the world.

The competition is divided intotwo events: a dynamic event and a static event. In the static event the team present the cars design, cost explanation file and holds a business plan presentation. In the dynamic event the car is being tested in acceleration, skid-pad, autocross, and endurance events.

Formula student provieds an opportunity for students to gain practical engineering experience and apply classroom theory to real-world problems, develop their technical and interpersonal skills. It also allows students to showcase their creativity and innovation in a competitive environment.

The competition has grown in popularity over the years, with hundreds of teams from universities around the world participating each year.

The university has a workshop which the team have access to at all times. The workshop include machines such as manual lathes and mills, CNC lathe and mills, a wood working workshop, a welding room (MMA, MIG/MAG and TIG), carbon fiber moulding room and various hand held tools.

Workshop at Karlstad University

Our aerodynamics group are in charge of designing, manufacturing and optimizing the cars aerodynamic package. The aerodynamic package includes the bodywork, wings, diffuser and other devices that are designed to improve the cars performance by reducing drag and increasing downforce. They need to work closely with other groups to ensure that the aerodynamic package is integrated properly into the cars overall design.

The suspension & maneuvering group design and develop the suspension system of the car, which includes breaks and pedal box, as well as optimizes its handling and maneuverability. They work closely with other groups to ensure compatibility and testing the systems for safety and reliability.

This group has a main responsibility to design and manufacture the monocoque and steel tube chassis of the car. The chassis is the structural backbone of the car which supports all the other components such as the drivetrain, suspension and aerodynamic components. They also work close to the other groups to ensure that all the components fit and work together properly.

Our drivetrain & electronics group are responsible for designing, testing and building components that transmit power from the battery to the electrical components of the car. This includes transmission, clutch, driveshaft, differential and axles. Another responsibility for the group is the electronic systems in the car, for example wiring, sensors and engine control units. They also need to ensure that the electrical systems work together, properly and are reliable under racing conditions.