BRS Motorsport: A priceless experience

Formula Student facts & figures

• 2 categories: internal combustion engines and electric motor • 3 static disciplines and 5 dynamic disciplines • 500+ student racing teams worldwide

The BRS Motorsport Club

• Approx. 70 team members • 3 working groups: mechanics, electronics, marketing • 4 racing events in 2021 • 3 single wins and 1 overall victory in 2021

The racing car

• G21e – “Luna“ • 0–100 km/h in 2.5 seconds • Power: 80 kW/110 hp • Weight: 200 kg without driver • Total torque: 1,142 Nm at the wheel • Battery capacity: 8.3 kWh • Battery voltage: 600 volts • Assistance systems: traction control, torque vectoring

A priceless experience

Interview with team leader Vitus Redmann

The 2021 season was one of the most successful in the 15-year history of the BRS Motorsport Club, the team winning first place in the overall ranking of the Formula Student Spain. Team leader Vitus Redmann talks about the successes and the joint work of students and teachers in BRS Motorsport.

Ɏ What made 2021’s success possible?

Vitus Redmann: 2020 was the first time we didn’t build a car. We pooled our financial resources and invested a lot of time into further developing the existing racing car, and that really paid off. We also had a very good mix of experienced and new members who brought a lot of motivation to the team. As a result, we were extremely well prepared for the start of the 2021 season.

Ɏ Is the team always looking for new members?

Redmann: New people are always welcome. We start recruiting in the winter semester and give lectures and talks as a motorsport team, introducing the most important topics, such as our software and the processes in racing. We do this once a year, but anyone who is interested can contact us at any time. The most important thing is having the motivation and stamina. Ɏ How can you develop in the BRS Motorsport

team? What can you learn?

Redmann: There are very many ways. You could compare us to a small company. We work very professionally to achieve our goals. You start as a team member, and everyone has the opportunity to move up the ranks and take on more responsibility, as sub-team leader or team leader, for instance. What you learn is a great complement to your normal studies, especially with regard to the interdisciplinary work and personal responsibility of cooperating on such projects. As soon as you take on a task, you’re accountable to the team and you must fulfil it. Each member of the team can decide for themselves to what level they want to contribute.

Ɏ BRS Motorsport develops their own racing cars –

to what extent are ideas limited by regulations?

Redmann: The Formula Student regulations are mainly to do with safety rules, such as the maximum voltage a battery can have, roll bars and the wheelbase. Technically we can implement whatever we like. If we build a full carbon monocoque, for instance, we just have to prove it has enough stability to protect the driver in the case of an accident.

Ɏ How important are your own ideas and

cooperation partners as far as having a technical advantage in the race?

Redmann: Without partners and sponsors it would be impossible to make the project a reality. For example, one of our main sponsors produces wheel carriers just for us. These are topology-optimised titanium 3D printed parts. They are extremely expensive, and without sponsorship we could never afford something like that. The students learn an incredible amount from developing and producing the prototype and establish contacts with attractive employers for internships or career entry. And the companies get to know us well as young talents – a win-win situation.

Ɏ Who can drive the car in the race?

Redmann: In principle, anyone who has a driving licence can drive. That’s the great thing. In any other class but Formula Student, you need a racing licence in order to drive. But our car is not underpowered. In terms of powerto-weight ratio, we’re in the same class as a Formula 3 car. It’s not easy to navigate a vehicle like that quickly around a narrow, winding track. In 2021, we prepared for the first time in simulators that can move on different axles and provide feedback. This way, the drivers can train properly, negotiate bends, etc. The Formula Student tracks are very challenging. Ɏ What do you enjoy most about working with BRS

Motorsport?

Redmann: The interaction with the other team members is something special because they aren’t just colleagues, but really good friends. The research and development that we do on such a high level really motivates me and is fantastic fun. It’s just great to see how, starting from ideas on a sheet of paper, a car develops that we have built ourselves, one that can drive around a racetrack and accelerate from 0 to 100 in 2.5 seconds. That experience is just priceless.

More: Website: https://brsmotorsport.de/ Instagram: @brsmotorsport Facebook: BRS Motorsport e.V. Twitter: BRS_Motorsport Luna in action: BRS Motorsport clinched the overall victory at Formula Student Spain with the racing car