Formula SAE Grizzlies Racing GRX2
Challenge: Redesign racing seat for 3 second egress requirement,
and to prevent tools from being lost underneath / between the body, seat, and chassis
and to prevent tools from being lost underneath / between the body, seat, and chassis
Initial seat mold, final CFRP race seat, and the finished GRX2 racecar it was installed into.
The photos and time-lapse videos below are a fraction of the build process
in labs at both Oakland University and PREFIX.
in labs at both Oakland University and PREFIX.
Cutting splines on the bandsaw, adhering the splines together, and doing a test fit with the smallest and largest members on the racing team
Installing end caps to give the insulation foam splines more structure
Smoothing out the racing seat created with sheets of insulation foam cut on a bandsaw
Creating an inexpensive barrier to prep the foam mold for fiberglass reinforced plastic installation
Adding mold release wax to the foam racecar seat mold before prepping to lay woven fiberglass
Receiving guidance and advice from our wonderful in-kind sponsor, PREFIX
Continuing to prep the foam racecar seat mold for FGRP; Mold was rotated after application so resin wouldn't pool at the lowest point
Prepping the new fiberglass seat mold (created from foam female mold), adding resin, and laying the first layer of carbon fiber weave
Finagling the first layer of carbon fiber weave in preparation for the next layer made up of carbon fiber scraps and structural material
The Grizzlies Racing FSAE team won the 1st Place Sexiest Car Award, and a 3rd place Overall Win, at FSAE Formula North 2012 in Barrie, Ontario, Canada.
