DEAC Formula Racing was formed last year by students from the Faculties of Engineering, Informatics, Science and Technology, and Economics and Business at the University of Debrecen. They aim to build an electric race car, with which they hope to make their debut in the Formula Student competition series in 2027. Currently, preparations are progressing quite well.
The collective name Formula Student, which originated in the United States in 1981, is used for a series of car races held worldwide for university and college teams. What these series of races have in common is that teams of students not only design and construct single-seater vehicles, but also develop their business concept making sure to secure the financial background required for operating their project. Every year, approximately 600 teams from almost 400 universities, which means a total of around 12,000 young people, participate in Formula Student.
The members of the team from the University of Debrecen hope to involve several sponsors in the construction of their car, with Schaeffler Debrecen coming first, joining the project as a platinum-level sponsor.
At the official announcement of the sponsorship agreement, Chancellor Zoltán Bács noted that, over the past 10 to 15 years, both Debrecen’s industrial sector and the global automotive industry have shifted towards the development of electric vehicles.
- Since this is one of our focus areas, the University of Debrecen is also intent on playing a part in this. For instance, the Faculty of Informatics has joined the research on self-driving cars, whereas the automotive-related programs at the Faculty of Engineering have also made tremendous progress. These efforts have by now taken us to the stage when we can announce the unveiling of a Formula Student car- said the university leader.
The chancellor also expressed his hope that the team, which we can already be proud of at present, will prove to be very successful in the future, too.
With regard to the announcement, the director of Schaeffler Debrecen Campus noted that the connection between the University of Debrecen and his company dated back to almost ten years ago. For example, the company Schaeffler participates in the university’s dual training program and offers internship opportunities to students.
-For our company, it is very important that we should be able to work with gifted young people who can convincingly display their professional know-how and skills during this project. This initiative is complete compliance with the concept we generally follow, which is why we are supporting it- said Director Péter Szabó.
-Over the past decade, quite a number of companies holding a stake in the automotive industry have established their plants in Debrecen, which prompts specific developments here. For example, this is how the new building complex of the Faculty of Engineering on the street Virág utca and the Vehicle Laboratory on Rugó utca were recently completed- said Lajos Barcsa, Deputy Mayor of Debrecen.
- It is essential for companies like Schaeffler to invest in the next generations. One of the reasons why the Formula Student competition is advantageous is because, through the designing, constructing and managing activities of these cars, which require engineering skills and teamwork, participants gain competitive expertise and build a strong network of contacts that can help them throughout their careers- added Lajos Barcsa.
Géza Husi, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, underlined that the most important task now is to make sure that the University of Debrecen’s Formula Student car should be ready for next year’s competition, that it should meet the technical requirements, be allowed on the track and have permission to compete. In his view, how it can perform timewise and what final ranking it will achieve will only be of secondary importance in the beginning.
Following the official part of the announcement, a roundtable discussion was held on the role of artificial intelligence in the automotive industry. The participants in the discussion also included Gábor Kozma, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs at the Faculty of Science and Technology, Mónika Rákos, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs at the Faculty of Economics and Business, and László Mészáros, Assistant Lecturer at the Faculty of Informatics.
Press Center – OCs