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n an era where innovation and creativity drive the global automotive industry, the Putra Motorsport Team (PMT) from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has achieved a major milestone at the Formula SAE Japan 2024 (FSAEJ 2024) competition, demonstrating that local talent can compete and excel on the world stage.
The championship, held in Tokoname City, Aichi, Japan, last September, showcased the Formula 1-inspired machine developed by PMT, named Putra 1. This car not only highlighted the team's technical expertise but also emerged as a symbol of pride and advancement in Malaysia's automotive engineering education.
As Malaysia's sole representative in this challenge, PMT secured 60th place out of 80 teams—an impressive achievement and the best record ever for the country in such a competitive event.
This is no small feat given the fierce competition they faced from leading automotive universities, including Japan’s Kyoto Institute of Technology (the overall winner) and Honda Technical College Kanto; Tongji University (China); and National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan), most of which received substantial technical assistance from industry players in their respective countries.
True to the proverb ‘hardwork is the key to success,’ the team's perseverance and commitment have led to outstanding results.
For the record, FSAEJ is an annual event organised by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Japan to enable international students to design and develop single-seater Formula racing cars.
Each design must also comply with a series of regulations aimed at ensuring safety on the track (the cars are driven by the students themselves) while also promoting the participants' creativity in solving technical problems intelligently.
LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE
Team leader Chiew Weng Lam, in a recent interview with Bernama, said the Putra Motorsport Team (PMT) was established to cultivate students' interest and skills in automotive engineering.
The team has been active for several years, with previous projects like the Jebat and Lekir racing cars benefiting from knowledge transfer between senior and junior students.
The Putra Motorsport Team with the Putra 1 machine against the background of the official Formula SAE Japan 2024 board.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted this process, the current PMT team successfully developed the Putra 1 racing car through their own research and creativity, supported by lecturers and industry partners.
Their high fighting spirit also propelled them to qualify for FSAEJ, providing mechanical engineering students with an opportunity not only to compete but also to gain valuable exposure to the latest automotive technologies.
“The participation of many teams from various countries allows students to learn different techniques and methods in racing car design and development, giving us a broader perspective on the global automotive industry," he said.
He added that such championships serve as an ideal platform for students to apply the theoretical knowledge learned in class. The process of building and testing the Putra 1 racing car involved designing, fabricating and testing of critical parts such as the suspension systems, engine and aerodynamic parts.
Additionally, the students gained practical skills and honed technical abilities that will be invaluable in their future career. They also learned the importance of teamwork and how to tackle the various challenges that emerged throughout the development process.
"For us, this is an achievement that elevates Malaysia's status on the international stage. Moreover, we successfully passed the technical inspection, one of the biggest challenges in FSAEJ," he said.
This accomplishment is particularly gratifying when compared to the records of previous Malaysian teams: in 2016 (Jebat racing car with a ranking of 88/92) and in 2018 (Lekir racing car with a ranking of 82/92).
"This success shows significant progress and proves that the hard work and dedication of PMT students have paid off. The design and fabrication of Putra 1 were entirely performed by UPM students, and it functions like a real racing car.
"The car has a maximum speed of 140 km/h and is specifically designed for racing on the FSAE circuit. All design and fabrication processes also reflect the team's strong dedication and commitment to excellence in automotive engineering," he added.
Even more impressively, PMT attracted interest from numerous teams across various countries who were intrigued by the Putra 1's design—specifically its aerodynamic structure, comfortable driver's seat, and unique engine air intake. This recognition underscores the fact that local creativity is truly exceptional.
THE CHALLENGE OF THE R&D PROCESS
Sharing the history of Putra 1’s development, Chiew said the racing car underwent a long and meticulous research and development (R&D) process. This is because each team must comply with about 140 pages of strict regulations set by the FSAEJ organizer, where even a small mistake could result in disqualification.
Jentera Putra 1 prepares to enter the engine warm-up area before the 'Noise Test'.
After thoroughly reviewing every inch of the regulations, PMT was divided into six departments, each focused on critical segments of the car's development, which took about one year to complete.
Regarding the advantages of the Putra 1 machine, he explained that the racing car had been significantly improved in many aspects, particularly with a 20 per cent weight reduction. The car now weighs 320 kg compared to the Jebat racing car developed by the previous senior team.
“We utilised an engine from the Yamaha MT07 motorcycle with a 689cc capacity. Additionally, the suspension system has been greatly improved, with the current system being lighter and more easily adjustable. All processes, from turning computer designs into fabricated parts, were carried out by our team under the guidance of 13 technical advisers from UPM staff, along with the use of 3D printers and computer numerical control (CNC) machines.
"As for the chassis or body frame design, we used chromoly steel, a strong material with excellent impact resistance. This is further complemented by a car body structure covered in black and red carbon fibre, giving it a fierce and captivating look," he said.
INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION
PMT’s assistant team captain, Ahmad Nubli Zainal Abidin, noted that the Putra 1 project was developed at a cost exceeding RM100,000, excluding several critical components sponsored by various players in the national automotive industry.
Five Putra Motorsport Team representatives during the 'Brake Test' test session. Putra 1 is also the only representative from Malaysia for this tournament.
He hopes the industry will continue to support and provide technical assistance to students engaged in international projects like this, allowing them to compete at the highest level.
For instance, some teams managed to produce their own ceramic disc brakes and carbon fibre rims, as well as engines equipped with turbo systems. He believes that if more industry players could provide technical expertise and sponsorship, more powerful machines could be developed, leading to better standings in future competitions.
“With the experience gained from FSAEJ, PMT can be a stepping stone for students who are interested in working in a Formula 1 team as students can get hands on experience in the entire process of designing, building and testing of the race car,” he said.
He also expressed hope that student involvement in such activities would attract attention and support from the ministry, especially the Ministry of Youth and Sports. With more significant sponsorships, PMT, he added, could expand the scope of their research and development and enhance the team’s technical capacity.
FUTURE ASPIRATIONS
Meanwhile, PMT’s Chief Adviser, Assoc Prof Dr Abdul Aziz Hairuddin, said the experiences gained from previous projects like Jebat and Lekir were crucial for the team's development. These projects highlighted the importance of thorough research, communication, and teamwork in achieving their goals.
Putra 1 successfully passed the 'Tel Test' where the machine is tilted at 60 degrees from the surface of the earth to test the stability of the machine.
Despite facing various challenges, the team demonstrated remarkable confidence and capability. He noted that Putra 1 not only showcases their technical skills but also embodies a spirit of innovation that future generations should aspire to emulate.
“The success in this competition would not have been possible without a careful strategy. With each challenge, they have shown that strong effort and collaboration can lead to greater achievements.
“This experience has not only enhanced the students’ technical skills but also shaped them into disciplined and innovative individuals,” he said.
Additionally, the technical capabilities of Putra 1 reflect the excellence of Malaysia’s younger generation and their aspirations for greater success in the international automotive arena.
"Through this challenging journey, they have not only built a racing car but also created a legacy for future generations. If more local and international companies provide sponsorship support, these students have the potential to become pioneers in the global automotive industry," he added.
Translated by Salbiah Said
