RGU engineering students enter fast lane with electric race

More than 60 engineering students, divided into 12 teams, went head-to-head outside the Sir Ian Wood Building on Friday 14 April.

The third-year Mechanical Engineering students had been hard at work over the last few weeks designing, constructing and assembling their two-wheeled vehicles as part of the project.

The students took to the racetrack to find out whose machine was the most efficient on a single charge of battery. Teams were given the option to have larger capacity batteries but the extra weight could penalise them in the race.   

After the track closed at midday, Team C also know as Chick Hicks were declared the winners after clocking up an impressive 257 laps and 115 minutes in the race. Team L finished second with 239 laps and they kept racing for 79 minutes with Team D finishing third with 154 laps completed in 54 minutes.

Dr Morgan Adams, lecturer at RGU’s School of Engineering, said: “The students have been working hard on their designs and building of the electric mini-bikes since February. 

“This has been a unique test of their engineering skills and the challenge for the students has been integrating an electrical drive system into a mechanical build. It is the ideal showcase for the students to highlight how they can work as part of a team and collaborate on an exciting idea.

“The race marks the end of a lot of hard work on the project for the students and they can all be proud of their efforts.” 

In previous years, students from the School of Engineering have designed, built and raced Land Yachts, Soapbox Racers and Human Powered Vehicles.