Download the F1 in Schools Rules and Regulations Formula One Car

WHAT IS THE F1 IN SCHOOLS CHALLENGE?
The F1 in Schools is a global multi-disciplinary competition, that challenges secondary school students in the
Republic of Ireland, to design, build and race miniature compressed air-powered balsa wood Formula One cars.
Student teams will compete against each other in the National Final to determine the best engineered and fastest
car in Ireland.
Design will play a critical role in the success of your team - both in the design of the car itself and the people involved
in bringing that design from the initial idea right through to the starting grid. Team members must be
carefully chosen and trained to work together, using cutting edge design software and the latest in manufacturing
technology.
Students are encouraged to use software tools to manage their projects and to develop a
project website to communicate how their designs evolved.
Left: National Champions 2011 Team
Octane Racing, Dundalk
Grammar School.
Right: National Championship
winning car 2011
Students are encouraged to use software tools to manage their projects and to develop a project website to
communicate how their designs evolved.
The 2010/11 Challenge was a great success with 90 teams competing head to head on the track at Regional Finals.
All Regional Finals for the 2011/12 season will be held in March. The National Finals will be held on 26th April 2012.
The Challenge is part of an international competition which in September 2011 saw 23 teams from around the
world compete for the crown.
The F1 in Schools Challenge is managed by the Irish Computer Society and ICS Skills in partnership with Discover
Science and Engineering. F1 in Schools is operated on a not-for-profit basis by ICS Skills, a registered charity.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 2

THE DESIGN BRIEF
You are the Formula One Team commissioned to design, construct and race the fastest Formula One Car of
the Future, driven by compact compressed air powerplants (cartridges). The particular design specifications and
racing regulations for this controlled racing are outlined in this document.
To succeed in the challenge you will need to work with modern design technologies like 3D CAD software. In order
to enter the Championship, you must allocate job roles to the members of your group. Ideally, one role
should be allocated to each person. However, you may have to double up on your role and responsibilities, depending
on the number of people you have available.
The following job roles should be covered by the members of your team:
Team Manager (maximum 1 person). This person will be responsible for managing the team,
ensuring that the car is ready for the finals. The team manager works closely with all members
of the team, offering assistance where necessary.
Resources Manager (maximum 1 person). This person organises time, materials and equipment
for design and making the cars. The resources manager will need to liaise with all members to
check tasks are progressing on time and offer additional help, if needed.
Manufacturing Engineer (maximum 2 persons). These people are responsible for advising team
members on the manufacture of the car and the constraints of the machining process. Manufacturing
engineers will need to liaise with the design engineers to report and help solve any problems
with construction of the car.
Design Engineer (maximum 2 persons). These people are responsible for the styling and aerodynamic
performance of the car design. Design engineers will need to liaise with the manufacturing
engineers to ensure their ideas can be realised.
Graphic Designer (maximum 1 person). This person will be responsible for producing the colour
schemes applied to the vehicle, including any special sponsorship decals, together with the final
graphic renderings and any additional team marketing materials. The graphic designer will need
to liaise with the design engineer to ensure any schemes will fit the shape of the vehicle and the
marketing and communications manager for additional marketing development.
Marketing and Communications Manager (maximum 1 person). This person will be responsible
for developing team marketing and sponsorship generation. The marketing and communications
manager will need to liaise with F1 in School’s Marketing Team, local media and potential
sponsors to ensure maximum coverage for their team.
There are so many tasks that must be mastered, in order to design, manufacture, prepare and finally enter a car
for racing, that teamwork will be vital to your success. A real F1 team succeeds because all the people learn to
work together and support each other.
Remember, no one person is more important than another.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 3

GENERAL REGULATIONS
Your team must comply with all the guidelines outlined below:
Each team should consist of a minimum of 3 members to a maximum of 6. Mixed gender teams would
be preferred and positively encouraged.
Due to the increasing numbers entering the competition it has been necessary to introduce a Qualifying
stage. Entry to this Qualifying Stage will be open to all schools and entry is free.
Each school can enter as many teams as they wish for the Qualifying Stage, but a maximum of two teams
from each category (Junior / Senior Cycle) will be allowed to progress through to the Regional Finals.
All teams must submit a five page plan for the Qualifying Stage by 18th November 2011. Registration of
schools/teams is online at www.F1inSchools.ie
The Qualifying Stage will be judged following the submission of a 5 page plan. The details for this Stage
follow in this document under the Qualifying Stage heading on pages 7 and 8.
Teams’ 5 page plans are judged to select approximately 100 teams to progress to Manufacturing and
Regional Final stage. The teams that score highest in the Qualifying Stage will proceed through to the
Regional Finals. All schools will be notified by email if they have/have not succeeded in progressing
through to the Regional Final stage. There is a fee of €80 per team for those who qualify for the Regional
Final stage.
Senior Cycle teams must design the Formula One car. Junior Cycle teams must design the D-Type car. For
details on Competition Categories view page 9 of this document.
Your team must use 3D CAD (Computer Aided Design) software to produce your ideas and model them in
3D. Details on how to obtain your free copy of Solid Works software from F1 in Schools, is available on the
website (www.f1inschools.ie).
The dimensions of your car body, together with the wheels, must fit the dimensions outlined in the rules.
Points will be deducted otherwise. Please check these very carefully. Please note there are critical
technical regulations that must be achieved, further details on page 12 of this document.
The car body must be machined from a single piece of balsa wood. The front aerofoil and rear aerofoil may
be machined from a separate non-metallic material e.g. ABS. This applies also to supporting structures.
Each car body must be manufactured either at your school or at a designated Manufacturing Centre, which
F1 in Schools will pair your team with. Your F1 car must be manufactured on a CNC machine, such as a
Denford MicroRouter, either at your school or at an F1 in Schools approved Manufacturing Centre.
Each car body must be completed with a high quality painted finish. Note that only a limited amount of
hand finishing to the body is allowed. Only one car is required at regional and national final level.
At Regional and National Final stages each team must produce a design portfolio which details the design,
production and evaluation process including, initial ideas, design development, manufacture and evidence
of testing and evaluation. Max 20 pages (A3).
At Regional and National Final stages each team must supply a 1 st or 3 rd angle orthographic projection and
a graphic rendering of their final design, both produced using a 3D CAD package.
At Regional and National Final stages each team must complete a specification sheet, which must be
displayed at each race event. This specification sheet should be completed before arriving at the race
event.
At Regional and National Final stages teams must prepare a verbal presentation on their work. 5 minutes
will be allocated to present to the judges.
These rules are based on the F1 in Schools 2011 World Finals Technical Regulations.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 4

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Design Preparation:
Before beginning to design your car, you will need:
Solid Works or a similar 3D CAD software package at your school/college.
A design template suitable for the balsa wood blank. (this can be downloaded at www.F1inSchools.ie/
resources)
Hopefully, an endless supply of ideas!
Training:
CAD packages will help you draw and develop your ideas in 3D. Of course, as with most drawing packages, it
takes time to learn how to use them. Your technology teacher should be able to show you how the software
works, but members of your team will need to spend some time exploring the software, so you can see what it
can do and how it can help you design your F1 car.
Research:
Investigate existing F1 car designs. Your teacher may be able to help you use the internet to find out the latest
developments occurring in the world of F1 design. Team photos from last year’s Challenge can be found at
www.F1inSchools.ie in the Gallery section. Concentrate your research on areas that could help your team, for
example, aerodynamics, car body designs and wheel designs, then try to apply the principles to your own ideas.
Testing:
Your team may want to consider testing a variety of car designs, or car parts, in a virtual wind tunnel or physical
wind and/or smoke tunnel, if your Make Centre has access to one, to evaluate their aerodynamic performance.
If your school has a copy of Solid Works you should also have included a copy of COSMOS, Solid Works design
analysis software. COSMOSFlowXpress can be used to quickly analyze the Race Car Block part which is used in
the Race Car Assembly.
COSMOSFloXpress is a fluid dynamics application that calculates how fluid, (air or water) flows through a part or
assembly model. Based on the calculated velocity field, you can find problem areas in your design and improve
them before you manufacture any parts.
MANUFACTURING CONSIDERATIONS
In the F1 Car Kit that each team qualifying for the Regional final stage will receive, is a set of 4 wheels and 2 axles,
which is the minimum that you need to compete at Regional final stage. Balsa wood will be sent directly on your
behalf to the Make Centre.
Note that your car design template must be 10mm shorter at least at one end, compared to the actual balsa
wood block (we have accounted for this in the Rules & Regulations, point 3a). You will not be able to machine to
the extreme ends of the balsa wood block, since they are sometimes used for attaching the CNC machine jig
fixtures. Damage could occur if the cutting tool hits any of these jig fixtures.
The jig is used to stop the balsa wood block moving whilst being machined. It also allows the block to be
accurately repositioned. Please note however that some machines will require only one cut, others may require
two cuts, therefore you will need to take this into account when you are designing the car.
Manufacturing of cars must occur at an approved F1 in Schools Manufacturing Centre (3rd level institution),
which F1 in Schools will pair your team with, or if your school has facilities, in your own school.
Once machined, you can smooth down the balsa wood design and finish with primer and paint. Note that only a
limited amount of hand finishing to the body is allowed. Filler should not be used to build up areas of your car.
You can also decorate the car body with any sponsorship stickers, advertising or colour schemes.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 5

F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 6

QUALIFYING STAGE
Compulsory Qualifying Stage – The First Step onto the Grid!!
You are a Formula One team who must pitch your plan to build the Fastest Formula One Car of the Future,
driven by compressed air powerplants.
You must submit a plan which demonstrates why your team should be chosen to get your design constructed
to race.
Your plan should give details of your team members, show some areas of your teams research, display your
initial design ideas and show some elements of your portfolio e.g. timeline, branding etc… Remember, your
team must show why your plan is the best!
Your ideas and plan should be original, if you want to be chosen, be different!
Plan –maximum 5 pages (A4)
All team plans must be submitted by 5pm 18th November 2011
Plans should be submitted by email to f1@ics.ie or by
post to:
ICS, Crescent Hall, Mount Street Crescent, Dublin 2
Your plan should consist of the following:
Introduction (1 page)
Research (1 page)
A look at the different ideas behind making your car the
fastest.
Design (1-2 pages)
Pencil sketch will suffice, but 3D CAD more advantageous
Resources planning (1-2 pages)
Outline plan to include, for example: timeline, budget, marketing etc..
Plans should have no more than 5 A4 pages, any plans which exceed the maximum of 5 pages will only have the
first 5 pages looked at. The cover of your document is not counted in these 5 pages.
To view sample plans, log on to www.F1inSchools.ie
Winning teams innovate!!
Formula One is constantly innovating in all areas of the Formula One business i.e. design, research,
marketing. Has your team a distinct advantage, if so tell us about it and earn your team an additional 10% of your
overall points for the plan!! For further breakdown of points for Qualifying Stage, view page 9 of this document.
Submit one additional item that can take the form of, for example, one of the following:
An additional A4 page of text or images
A slide show
A video
A team logo
Maximum duration of digital media 3 minutes.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 7

QUALIFYING STAGE
MARKING SCHEME FOR QUALIFYING STAGE
Area Key Features Points Awarded
Introduction
One page introduction to team, job roles, team mission
Max 10 points
Research
One page featuring areas researched by the team for the
competition e.g. aerodynamics, wheel design…..
Max 10 points
Design
1-2 pages of initial sketches of design/designs. Development of
ideas can be by hand or with 3D CAD. Teams should show
development of thoughts and ideas through use of research.
Note: Use of ICT/CAD is essential to achieve maximum points
Max 40 points
Brief
1 – 2 pages where teams outline what their plan would be, if they
proceed through to the Regional Finals. This may include how
they would allocate their time, fund their materials/transport, and
their range of activities (e.g. project-management, graphic
design, marketing, sponsorship etc.).
Max 40 points
Innovation
An additional 10% of the teams overall mark for above can be achieved by submitting one
item to demonstrate your teams innovation.
*To achieve the highest points in each category teams should use ICT and CAD, where possible.*
Note:
At Regional Final stage points may be deducted from team’s scores if significant elements of initial
plans are not achieved. Therefore you should ensure your plans are realistic.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 8

Manufacturing Centres
Teams will be paired with a Manufacturing Centre (3 rd level institution) by
F1 in Schools, if you do not have facilities in your school.
How to obtain software, hardware and consumables
To obtain your free copy of Solid Works software from F1 in Schools visit
the website (www.f1inschools.ie).
If you would like to purchase any equipment for the challenge please contact:
Sureweld Educational Division, Fonthill, Lucan, Co. Dublin. Tel: 01 6266 242
Team Prizes and Awards
There will be separate awards for:
The Overall Winner of the Challenge
The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Winners in each Category
Fastest Car
Best Engineered Car
Best Use of ICT
Best Team Website
Best Digital Marketing
Best Team Marketing and Sponsorship
Best Newcomer
Note: Awards are at the
Prizes will be awarded at National Final level. Prize packages to be confirmed.
Each F1 in Schools competitor will receive a certificate of participation.
discretion of the judges.
JUDGING CATEGORIES
There are four (5) main judging categories:
Specification Judging
Portfolio and Display Judging
Engineering Judging
Verbal Presentation Judging
Racing
Judging score cards
The F1 in Schools judging score cards provide detailed information in relation to what the Judges will be looking
for. The key performance indicators are used by the judges in awarding points during the judging activities.
The 2011/12 judging score cards can be found once you login to the www.f1inschools.ie website. READING THE
SCORE CARDS CAREFULLY IS IMPORTANT. THEY PROVIDE CRITICAL INFORMATION FOR TEAMS AS TO WHAT
NEEDS TO BE PRESENTED FOR EACH JUDGING CATEGORY.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 9

ARTICLE T1 DEFINITIONS
T1.1 Car race time value
A ‘car race time’ value is the actual time taken for a F1 in Schools car to travel the track from start to finish,
measured from the instant the launch pod fires to when the car breaks the finish line timing beam. In the
case of reaction races, the ‘car race time’ value is calculated as the ‘total race time’ value displayed on the
electronic start gate minus the ‘reaction time’ value displayed for that race.
T1.2 Total race time value
The ‘total race time’ value is displayed in the total time field on the electronic start gate at the conclusion of
every race. This time is the sum of the ‘car race time’ value and any ‘reaction time’ value displayed on the
electronic start gate. During time trial races where the automatic launch mode is used there is a zero reaction
time value.
T1.3 Reaction time value
A ‘reaction time’ value is the time recorded from the instant the five (5) start lights extinguish to the instant
the start trigger is activated by the driver. This value is displayed in the reaction time field on the electronic
start gate.
T1.4 F1 in Schools car
An F1 in Schools car assembly must only consist of the following components:
A body—which includes virtual cargo
A CO2 cylinder chamber
A front wing
A rear wing
Wing support structures
Nose Cone
Wheels
Wheel support systems
A tether line slot
Tether line guides
Paint finish and decals
The body and side pods must be manufactured from the official balsa wood blank. Refer to further
regulations regarding the design parameters for each of the above components.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 10

T1.5 Body
The body consists only of balsa wood and is manufactured using one or more CNC machining processes.
The body encompasses a virtual cargo and bounds the CO2 cylinder chamber and tether line slot. Whilst
the balsa wood material may continue to the very front of the car, it is not defined as body forward of the
front axle centre line. For dimensional purposes the body also includes any attached decals and surface
finishes.
T1.6 Wing
A wing on an F1 in Schools car is an aerodynamic feature that permits airflow around ALL of its surfaces
including its features of a leading and trailing edge. A wing is dimensionally defined by the maximum and
minimum span, chord and thickness. The vertical cross-sectional shape of the wing, parallel to the
direction of car travel, is referred to as an aerofoil. The following diagram assists with describing relevant
aerofoil features. .
Wing cross-section / aerofoil nomenclature
T1.7 Wing support structure
Is a non-metallic feature, other than wing, car body or nose cone that is joined to a wing surface and may
join the wing to any other part of the car assembly
T1.8 Nose cone
The nose cone is any non-metallic part of the car, other than wheel, wheel support system, wing or wing
support structure, that exists forward of the front axle centre line. This includes any balsa wood material
that continues forward from the body.
T1.9 Wheel support system
Wheel support systems are single parts or an assembly of components that connect a wheel to any other
part of the car. These may consist of a combination of manufactured or commercial parts. I.e. Bearings,
bushes and axles could be used.
T1.10 Tether line slot
The tether line slot is a rectangular prism of clear space that is bounded by car body on three sides of its
length.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 11

T1.11 Tether line guide
A tether line guide is a key safety component which completely surrounds the track tether line so as to
safely connect the car to the tether line during races. A tether line guide can be a component sourced
from a supplier or manufactured wholly or in part by the team.
T1.12 Vertical reference plane
To assist with describing dimensions, it is assumed that an invisible plane exists two dimensional along
the length of the CO2 cylinder chamber centre axis and perpendicular to the track surface. This is
known as the vertical reference plane.
T1.13 Point allocations
Points will be awarded to teams across five (5) categories with maximum possible scores as detailed
in the fol-
lowing table:
Specification Judging
Specifications
120 points
Engineering Judging
CAD CAM and Analysis
Quality of Manufacture
60 points
60 points
Portfolio and Pit Display Judging
Portfolio
Pit Display and Marketing
F1 Car Design Process
90 points
60 points
60 points
Verbal Presentation
Technique
Composition
Subject Matter
60 points
60 points
60 points
Racing
Time Trials
Reaction Racing
Knock-Out Racing
170 points
60 points
40 points
TOTAL 900 points
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 12

ARTICLE T2—GENERAL REGULATIONS
T2.1 The Formula One car design category is for Senior Cycle student teams only.
T2.2 Contact details for the Team Manager should be provided, to enable F1 in Schools to liaise with them,
this is completed at time of registration on www.F1inSchools.ie. All team members’ roles must be
entered online before Regional finals.
T2.3 Only a limited amount of filler is permitted. It should not be used to build up areas. Disqualification may
occur where measurement of original drawing and final car have significant discrepancies.
T2.4 Teams must show evidence of any media footage or press clippings in order to be awarded points for
such media coverage generated.
T2.5 The official length of the track, from starting line to finish line, is 20 metres.
T2.6 The F1 car body must be machined from a single piece of balsa wood. The front aerofoil and the rear
aerofoil may be machined from a separate non-metallic material. The design of the axle and bearing
systems is unrestricted.
T2.7 Teams that have been invited to the Regional Finals and National final will be required to explain how they
completed their design process to the Judges, in the form of a verbal presentation, with optional
accompanying visual aids. The presentation must not last longer than 5 minutes. Extra time is provided for
set up and Judges questions.
T2.8 Should any teams withdraw or become disqualified from the Regional Final stage; reserve teams may be
selected from a previously submitted list. These teams will be informed by post/e-mail/telephone call as
soon as the organisers are aware of the situation.
T2.9 The cars should be produced in the same year as the finals. The same car design should not be entered
more than once.
T2.10 Each design must leave enough space for an entry number sticker to be applied on each side of the car
body. Your number will be given to you at registration and must be in place before racing. The size of
the sticker will be a maximum of 40mm (length) by 25mm (height).
T2.11 When seeking team sponsorship, please ensure that the proposed sponsor of your team does not conflict with
the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge sponsors. If you are unsure if your potential sponsor will conflict please
contact f1@ics.ie for confirmation
T2.12 Critical technical regulations
T2.12.1 Regulations identified as a critical technical regulation and listed in this article. If a team’s primary
race car is judged as being NON-COMPLIANT with any critical technical regulation they will be INELIGIBLE
for the following awards:
World Champions
Fastest Car
Best Engineered Car
T2.12.2 The critical technical regulations are articles:
T3.1 / T3.2 / T3.3 / T3.4 / T3.5 / T3.6 / T4.1 / T4.2 / T4.3 / T6.1 / T7.1 / T8.1 / T8.2 / T8.3 / T8.4 / T10.1 / T10.2 / T10.3 /
T10.4 / T10.5 / T10.6
T2.13 Scrutineering will be more stringent at the National Finals. If a car passes in the Regional event this does not
necessarily mean that it will pass at National Final level. It is the team’s responsibility to ensure their car meets
all regulations.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 13

ARTICLE T3. FULLY ASSEMBLED CAR
T3.1 Design, manufacture and construction – [Critical regulations]
T3.1.1 Design - All F1 in Schools cars must be designed and engineered using CAD (Computer Aided
Design) and CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) technology. CAD software used should provide for 3D
part modelling, assembly and 3D realistic rendering.
T3.1.2 Manufacture - The body of all F1 in Schools cars must be manufactured via material removal using a
CNC router/ milling machine. This manufacturing process should occur at your school/college or at a
designated manufacturing centre/partner site.
T3.1.3 Limited hand finishing of the car body is permitted.
T3.1.4 Paint finish - Each car body should feature a high quality paint finish.
T3.2 Undefined features – [Critical regulation │Penalty – 12pts]
The car assembly must only consist of components listed in ARTICLE T1.1.
T3.3 Overall length – [Critical regulation │Penalty – 12pts]
This is measured parallel to the track surface and vertical reference plane, between the front and rear
extremities of the assembled car.
Min: 170mm / Max: 210mm
T3.4 Overall
width – [Critical
regulation │Penalty – 12pts]
Total assembled car width, measured normal to the vertical reference plane, between the outside edges
of the widest feature of the car assembly.
Min:
60mm / Max:
85mm
T3.5 Overall height – [Critical regulation │Penalty – 12pts]
Maximum assembled car height, measured normal to the track surface.
Max: 60mm
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 14

T3.6 Total weight – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
Total weight is the weight of the car excluding a CO2 gas cylinder. If ruled underweight, ballast will be
added before racing, at 2 grams for every gram under weight.
Min: 55.0grams
T3.7 Body to track distance – [Penalty – 6pts]
Measured normal from the track surface to any part of the underside of the car body that exists between
the front and rear axle centre lines, no part can be ‘lower’ than the minimum or ‘higher’ then the
maximum.
Min: 3mm / Max: 15mm
T3.8 Status during racing - [Penalty – 12pts]
The car assembly must be designed so that no items other than CO2 cylinders are removed, replaced or
added to the assembly during scheduled racing sessions.
ARTICLE T4 – BODY
T4.1 Body construction – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
The car body must be CNC machined from a single official balsa blank.
T4.2 Implants and voids – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
No implants or hidden voids are permitted in the car body
T4.3 Virtual cargo– [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
The car body must encompass a virtual cargo measuring a minimum of 30mm x 50mm x 10mm to be
wholly positioned between the front and rear axle centre lines. When viewed from the front the virtual
cargo must be 50mm wide. The location of the virtual cargo should be identified on the orthographic
drawing within the design portfolio.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 15

T4.4 Body thickness – [Penalty – 6pts each]
T4.4.1 No part of the body is allowed to be less than 3mm thick.
T4.4.2 All edges must have a radius of at least 1.5mm when the adjoining surfaces angle is less than 90°.
T4.5 F1 in Schools logo decal location – [Penalty – 12pts]
A surface of car body measuring no less than 30mm wide x 15 mm high must be visible in each side
elevation, between the front and rear wheels AND OUTSIDE of the virtual cargo WIDTH, The F1 in
Schools logo decal must be located within this area before cars are submitted.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 16

ARTICLE 5 - CO2 CYLINDER CHAMBER
T5.1 Diameter – [Penalty – 6pts]
CO2 cylinder chamber diameter, measured at any point through its depth.
Min: 19.5mm +/- 0.5mm
T5.2 Distance from track surface – [Penalty – 3pts]
Lowest point of the chamber opening to the track surface, measured normal to the track surface.
Min: 22mm / Max: 30mm
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 17

T5.3 Depth – [Penalty – 3pts]
Depth of chamber measured parallel to the vertical reference plane anywhere around the chamber
circumference from opening to chamber end.
Min: 50mm / Max: 60mm
T5.4 Thickness of chamber surrounds – [Penalty – 6pts]
The CO2 cylinder chamber must be surrounded by car body only. Chamber surrounds below the minimum
thickness may be considered a safety issue. Thickness is measured through any line of the chamber radius.
Min: 3mm
T5.5 Finishing of chamber surrounds – [Penalty – 3pts]
The inside surface must be free of any paint finish or decals
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 18

ARTICLE T6 – TETHER LINE SLOT
T6.1 Location and length – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
A tether line slot must exist continuously along the centre of the underside of the car body. The length
measured parallel to the track surface and vertical reference plane.
Min: 120mm / Max: 190mm
T6.2 Tether line slot cross-section – [Penalty – 6pts]
The tether line slot must be square in cross-section. Each side of the square measured normal to the track
and vertical reference plane.
Min: 6mm +/- 1.0mm
ARTICLE T7 – TETHER LINE GUIDES
T7.1 Location – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
Each car must have two (2) tether line guides firmly secured, one toward the front and one toward the
rear of the car. The tether line must pass through both tether line guides during racing.
T7.2 Track clearance – [Penalty – 6pts]
As part of the fully assembled car, the tether line guides must not make contact with the racing surface.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 19

T7.3 Diameter – [Penalty – 3pts]
Referring to the hole within the guide which the tether line passes through, diameter
Min: 3mm / Max: 5mm
T7.4 Guide separation – [Penalty – 3pts]
The shortest distance between the inside edges of the guides, measured parallel to the track surface and
vertical reference plane.
Min: 120mm / Max: 190mm
T7.5 Tether line guide safety – [Penalty – 6pts]
Guide holes must be completely closed to prevent the tether line from slipping out during racing. The
construction of the tether line guides must be robust so as to prevent the diameter or shape changing
during racing.
ARTICLE T8 – WHEELS
T8.1 Number and location – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
The car assembly must include 4 cylindrical wheels, two at the front and two at the rear. Opposing wheels
must share a common centre axis.
T8.2 Diameter – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
Wheel diameter measured to the rolling surface
Min: 26mm / Max: 34mm
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 20

T8.3 Width – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
Wheel width measured along the rolling surface contact line
Min: 15mm / Max: 19mm
T8.4 Visibility – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
The wheels are not allowed to be inside the car body and the wheel view cannot be obscured in any way,
in the car top and side elevation views.
T8.5 Race track contact – [Penalty – 3pts]
All 4 wheels must touch the racing surface at the same time across the full width of the wheel, assuming a
tolerance of +/-0.1mm
T8.6 Rolling surface – [Penalty – 6pts]
The wheel diameter must be consistent across the whole rolling surface.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 21

T8.7 Wheel support systems – [Penalty – 6pts]
Wheel support systems may only exist within the cylindrical volume generated through the maximum
diameter of two opposing wheels.
ARTICLE T9 – NOSE CONE
T9.1 Construction – [Penalty – 12pts]
The nose cone can be manufactured from any non-metallic material
ARTICLE T10 – WING AND WING SUPPORT STRUCTURE
T10.1 Description and placement – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
The design of the car should resemble an actual F1 car through the inclusion of a wing on the front nose of
the car and a wing at the rear of the car. Each wing must have a leading øedge and a trailing edge. Refer to
definition at ARTICLE 1.3.
T10.2 Construction – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
The front wing, rear wing and any support structures may be manufactured from a separate non-metallic
material. The wing chord and span dimensions must remain unchanged during races. i.e. Wings must be
rigid, ruled at the Judge’s discretion.
T10.3 Clear airflow – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
A wing surface must have a minimum of 3mm of clear ‘air’ space completely surrounding it, measured
normal to the wing surface to any other part of the car.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 22

T10.4 Rear wing location – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
The whole of the rear wing and any support structure must be behind the centre line of the rear wheel
when viewed in the side elevation.
T10.5 Rear wing height – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
The bottom surface of the rear wing must be higher than the highest point of the rear wheel when
measured normal to the track surface.
T10.6 Front wing location – [Critical regulation │ Penalty – 12pts]
The whole of the front wing and any support structure must be in front of the centre line of the front
wheel when viewed in the side elevation.
T10.7 Visibility of front wing – [Penalty – 6pts]
Visibility of the front wing must not be obstructed by any other component when viewed in the front
elevation.
T10.8 Identification method for scrutineering – [Penalty – 6pts]
To assist with scrutineering - the surfaces defining both the front and rear wings MUST either be identified
clearly on the orthogonal drawing submitted for specification judging, OR painted in a different colour
from the rest of the surrounding car.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 23

T10.9 Front and rear wing span – [Penalty – 6pts each]
Where the wing span is intersected by another part of the car, the total span is the sum of each segment.
The wing span is measured on the top or bottom surface of the wing, whichever is shortest, parallel to
track surface and normal to the vertical reference plane.
T10.9.1 Front wing span - Min: 40mm / Max: 85mm
T10.9.2 Rear wing span – Min 40mm / Max 65mm
T10.10 Span segments – [Penalty – 6pts]
The span of a wing can be intersected by the car body, nose cone or wing support structure to form span
segments. All span segments must conform to the wing chord and thickness regulations. At least two (2)
of the segments must be of the minimum size.
Min segment size: 20mm
T10.11 Front and rear wing chord – [Penalty – 3pts each]
The wing chord minimum and maximum dimensions must exist within the minimum span dimensions of a
wing. The chord is the distance between the leading edge and trailing edge measured parallel to the verti
cal reference plane.
T10.11.1 Front wing chord - Min: 15mm / Max: 25mm
T10.11.2 Rear wing chord – Min 15mm / Max 25mm
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 24

T10.12 Front and rear wing thickness – [Penalty – 3pts each]
The wing thickness minimum and maximum dimensions must exist across the full span of the wing,
measured perpendicular to the chord line.
T10.12.1 Front wing thickness - Min: 1.5mm / Max: 6mm
T10.12.2 Rear wing thickness – Min 1.5mm / Max 6mm
ARTICLE T11 COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
T11.1 All complaints regarding racing track marshalling and/or illegal cars should be reported by 15:00, and all
other complaints/issues by 12:00, on the day of the final, to the Event Coordinator directly. We cannot consider
changes to procedures after these times. Any complaints after this time should be made in writing to the Event
Coordinator and will be dealt with after the close of the event.
ARTICLE T12 RACING PROCEDURES
For the 2011-12 Competition there will be three types of races conducted at the following stages:
Regional Finals:
1. Time Trials (Automatic Launch Mode)
(170 points)
2. Reaction Time Racing (Manual/Driver Launch Mode)
(100 points)
National Finals:
1. Time Trials (Automatic Launch Mode)
(170 points)
2. Reaction Time Racing (Manual/Driver Launch Mode)
(60 points)
3. Knock-out Competition Racing (Manual/Driver Launch Mode).
(40 points)
Time Trials and Reaction Time Racing will occur at Regional Finals. Knock-out racing will only occur at the National
Finals of the competition on 26th April 2012.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 25

T12.1 Time Trials
These will be conducted over the course of the Competition Day as per the judging schedule. Team
members need to be at the race track during their scheduled race times. Each car will be raced at least
once in each lane of the race track. The single fastest time recorded by each team during racing (Time
Trials and Reaction Time Racing) will be used to determine the points they are awarded for time trials.
T12.2 Reaction Time Racing
These races will be conducted during the Competition Day as per the judging schedule. All team members
need to be at the race track during their scheduled time. Each car will be raced once in each lane. for
Reaction Time Racing.
The single fastest total race time recorded (reaction time PLUS actual car start line to finish line time), by
each team will be used to determine the points they are awarded
T12.3 Knock-out Competition
These races will be conducted during the National Final Competition Day as per the event schedule.
Ranking from Reaction Time Racing results will determine where teams start in the knock-out rounds. At
the conclusion of Reaction Time Racing, all teams will be ranked from fastest to slowest to determine
each team’s Knock-Out Racing seeded position. All team members need to be at the race track during
their scheduled times.
Each car will be raced (manual/driver launch mode), once in each lane. The single fastest time posted
from these 2 races (reaction time PLUS actual car start line to finish line time), will determine the winner
for that knock-out race and advance to the next knock-out round.
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 26

APPENDIX – OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS
Right: 3D rendering of the blank balsa wood,
used for construction of the Formula One car.
Below: Third angle orthographic projection of the Formula One car blank balsa wood block.
All dimensions shown are in mm (millimeters). Note—the drawing is NOT TO SCALE
F1 in Schools Technology Challenge Revision 1.2 27

VERBAL PRESENTATION SCORE CARD 5 Minute Time Limit for Presentation

ENGINEERING SCORE CARD

PORTFOLIO AND PIT DISPLAY SCORE CARD