RedBull Ring (AT), 21-25 July 2024
The MORE Modena Racing team from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia has made history by becoming the first Italian team to win the prestigious Formula Student Austria competition, held at the renowned RedBull Ring in Zeltweg. This victory marks a significant milestone for the team, supported by the Fondazione di Modena, and highlights a moment of glory for the entire Italian academic community in the field of automotive engineering.
The core of the team’s success lies in their innovative hybrid vehicle, designed and built by university students. The unique race car features a rear-mounted internal combustion engine powered by E85 biofuel and two electric motors integrated into the front wheel assembly. This combination not only allowed the vehicle to pass the competition’s stringent technical inspections with flying colors but also demonstrated extraordinary efficiency, winning the Efficiency event, which measures CO2 equivalent emissions during the competition.
The team dominated the dynamic events, winning the Acceleration, Autocross, Endurance, and Efficiency categories, and securing a second place in the Skidpad event. These outstanding results led the MORE Modena Racing team to overall victory at the event, echoing their previous success last year at the Silverstone circuit.
“This victory is a huge credit to our students, who, with their commitment, creativity, and innovative spirit, have shown they can compete and win on an international scale,” commented Prof. Massimo Borghi, Director of the “Enzo Ferrari” Department of Engineering. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between different departments at the university, which brought together over 200 students in this interdisciplinary project.
The Faculty Advisors of the project, Professors Matteo Giacopini, Enrico Mattarelli, Valerio Mangeruga, and Davide Barater, expressed their pride in the students’ work, acknowledging the importance of passion and dedication in achieving such extraordinary results.
Team Leader Beatrice Terzo and Team Technical Director Lorenzo Marrone described the experience as “an intense period, filled with countless nights in the workshop and office to complete the development of components and prepare the necessary documents for the competition.” They added that the greatest gratification was sharing this success with all team members, whom they consider a second family.
The victory of the team not only represents a historic milestone for the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia but also serves as a shining example of how investment in education and research can lead to excellent outcomes. This success is a source of pride for the entire city of Modena and a testament to the value of sustainable innovation in motorsport.
MORE MODENA RACING TEAM
