Adhesive manufacturer Loctite is championing its involvement with a wide-range of teams competing in the UK Formula Student 2017 competition. Now in its 20th year of competing, the University of Hertfordshire (UH Racing) has created a number of very competitive cars.
This year, the introduction of a turbo increased power output by 70%, and prepreg manufacturing of the composite body work and wings (replacing wet lay-up) is among the principal enhancements. Moreover, the team is using Loctite products from primary sponsor Henkel “more than ever” in its 2017 car.
The first event of the 2017 calendar took place in the UK, at Silverstone. Each entrant first competes in three static events which focus on design, cost and business presentation. This is followed by two days of dynamic events that centre on disciplines such as acceleration, skid pan testing, autocross and endurance (including fuel efficiency).
As a result of its dedicated endeavours, UH Racing won four awards at Silverstone: Most Effective Communications Strategy; The Art Performance Award from sponsor Jaguar Land Rover; Class 1 Design; and Endurance Event Fastest Lap. Overall, the team placed 16th out of 75, although if not for a battery fire during the acceleration event and a turn for the worse in the weather during the autocross event, a much higher finish would have been achieved.
“I’m extremely proud of the team’s performance this year; they put in a phenomenal amount of work in the build-up and their hard work was rewarded with four awards,” said Dr Howard Ash, programme tutor in the School of Engineering and Technology, at the University of Hertfordshire. “Bad luck befell the team during the dynamic events, but the way they pulled together to get back on track was terrific.”
Products such as Loctite 9466 industrial grade epoxy adhesive are used for UH Racing’s carbon fibre requirements, while Loctite H3101 methacrylate adhesive is applied to the close-out panels. Furthermore, Loctite SI 5990 gasket sealant is deployed on the engine casing and sump, while the team also uses extensive amounts of Loctite threadlocking adhesive and retaining compound, as well as Loctite cleaning products.
