Pravega Racing is the Formula-SAE combustion team of Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, India. The primary aim of the team is to design, manufacture, and test a single seater race car and compete in the Formula Student and FSAE events.
History
Pravega Racing was established in 2005 by a group of students from Vellore Institute of technology (VIT) with the aim of providing hands on practical experience for the students. The team Bootstrapped and made a prototype race car in the next two years. It could build the final prototype due to paucity of funds, they had succeeded in creating a proof of concept which laid the foundation for all future endeavours.
The team secured third position in its first attempt in SAE-Design Challenge, 2009. The performance in the event motivated the members to take it to International Formula Student Events. In 2010 the team took part in Formula SAE West held in California, USA. Manufacturing a car that met the international standards was the biggest challenge faced in its maiden international outing. Although the team was not able to qualify the technical inspection, the motivated members secured 8th position in the Cost and Manufacturing Event.
One of the major challenges in the 2011 season came down to shifting from a 500 cc Kawasaki Engine to a 600 cc Honda CBR RR which caused delays in manufacturing, and henceforth the team was placed at an overall 45th position in Formula SAE Italy 2011.
In 2012, led by Hemant Agarwal, the mammoth task of manufacturing 2 cars in a single season was undertaken. The team improved its performance in the dynamic events in FSAE- Italy 2012 and dominated the Statics Event: 3rd in Cost and Manufacturing Event. The impressive Overall 3rd position in SAE-SUPRA 2012 established them as one of the front runners among the Indian Formula Student circuit.
The year 2013, was the breakthrough year for the team at FSAE-Italy. The car underwent a complete makeover for this season. Led by Prateek Sibal, the team won several accolades in the events such as 2nd in Cost and Manufacturing, 11th in Business Presentation, 19th in Engineering Design and 20th Overall. The team completed in the all-important endurance event for the first time as well.
The experience gained in Italy prompted the team to take part in a much more competitive environment. The team led by Sanshray Agarwal, was the only Indian team to participate in all the dynamic events at FSG 2014.
Following a similar concept as the Formula Student events, Formula Design Challenge 2015 was aimed to provide Indian FS teams with a better platform to test their potential. The event witnessed active participation from several luminaries of the automotive industry: Claude Rouelle and Pat Clarke (Design Judges). Headed by Kushagra Sinha, Pravega Racing completed the competition with podium finishes in all static events, a breathtaking run in the autocross event, and an Overall 3rd position. Following that, the team also participated in FSG 2015 and achieved the best statics result by any Indian team in Formula Student Germany history.
Gaining more experience, the team led by Tribhuvan Singh went onto participating at Formula Student India 2016, bagging several accolades, and winning 7 out of 11 trophies with podium finishes in all static events. In the same year, the team also took part in FSG 2016 where it proved to be the fastest among all Indian teams.
Moving upwards on the ladder of success, in 2017 the team led by Abhijai Tibrewala went onto become the defending champions at Formula Bharat 2017, bagging a total of 9 trophies with podium finishes in both static and dynamic events. The team was also awarded the Best Driver Award and a Special Award for Spirit of FSI. Further, the team also took part in FSG 2017 where it was one of the best Indian teams at the event.
The experience gained over the years helped the team move forward to participate at Formula SAE Australasia 2018, where the team led by Naman Shukla led onto gaining the highest ever points scored by an Indian team at the Engineering Design Event. The team was also awarded the FSAE-A Encouragement Award for its exhilarating performance.
In 2019, the team led by Nithin Shanmugam participated at FSG 2019, where the team got its first ever international podium by winning the D-BASF Best Use of 3D Printing Award. The team was also the highest to score in the Engineering Design Event among Indian Teams.
2020 saw the team take part in the Formula Student Online 2020. The team led by Prudhvi Rao became the only Indian team to participate in the virtual event. The team secured its highest ever overall finish and first podium in BPP at an international event.
Gaining the much needed experience, the team participated in FB 2021, where the team led by Harsh Singh went on to win the BPP and bag a podium finish.
2023 saw the team, led by Chetan Pratapaneni, take part in FB 2023, where the team secured 1st in Business Presentation, 2nd in Statics and an Overall 7th. This was followed by the team taking part in FS East 2023. The team secured 2nd in Business Presentation, 12th in Statics and an Overall 12th. The season end saw the team take part in FSG 2023, where the team secured 8th in Cost Analysis Event, 9th in Engineering Design Event, 10th in Business Presentation and an Overall 18th globally.
Team Ideology
Philosophy The team follows a simple policy: Having a respectful disregard for the impossible. Pravega Racing focuses on first building an ‘A’ team, and then building an ‘A’ car: As for the team members, they are not just students of a technical university but a right combination of engineers, writers, bloggers, designers, managers, analysts, strategists and drivers. The three pillars of our ideology are - pride, discipline and consistency. Our FSAE team's reputation is built on our pride in our achievements and the discipline we uphold in our work.
Team Structure The team follows a “Functional Organizational Model” headed by the chief executive officer, Chief Technical Officer, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Management Officer of the team. The CEO is responsible for overseeing all the technical and management functions of the team and serves the role as the head of the team. The CTO's primary role is to make sure that the technical departments coordinate and work smoothly to achieve the team's overall goals. The COO is tasked with overseeing the day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the team. The CMO is responsible for activities related to creating, communicating and delivering offerings that have value for the team and sponsors.
The entire team's workflow is conducted through the Principal Engineers and Department Leads who validate and sanction duties of the Student/Junior Engineer. This system is then monitored by the CTO and the COO. Via the CTO, COO and the Department Leads, the work is completed within the prescribed stipulated time. The responsibility of overall project management, maintaining order and organizing stands with the CEO.
To testify the improvements carried out by the respected departments before and after the testing phases, a Testing Lead is appointed. The training of the drivers as well as validating the driver-car interactions to meeting the infield demands is undertaken by the Testing Lead. Static Leads focuses on the Business Presentation, Cost Report and Engineering Design Report events. The person in charge ensures that all the documents of any particular event remain intact without any discrepancies to the idea nor rules.
To maximize efficiency and productive output of individual departments, the Department Leads double their roles and head the Research and Development as well. The workforce is further split based on their skill set into Dynamics & Statics, BP & CR, Marketing and PR teams. This ensures frictionless communication and enables efficient coordination within the team.
Formula Student Seasons
Season 2013-14
The season marked the introduction of new packages which gave the car, PRV13 a whole new look compared to the previous cars. The team captain Prateek Sibal lead the team to new heights at Formula Student Italy as the team came 20th overall in the event and competed for the first time in the endurance event.
Achievements
Formula Student Italy 2013 2nd in Cost event 11th in Business Presentation 18th in Endurance 19th in Design event 25th in Acceleration event
Technical Specifications of PRV 13 Car NamePRV 13Car Number54 Total Weight283 kg Wheelbase1600 mm DampersTanner Brakes Type4 Outboard DiscsChassisSteel Space FrameSuspensionDouble Unequal Length A-arm with Push Rod actuated Spring DampersWheels13x7 Oz Racing WheelsTires DryHoosier Racing SlicksTires WetContinentalEngineHonda CBR 600RRDisplacement600 CCNew Feature AddedSequential 6 Speed Shift Electronic Shift button type Open Differential
Season 2014-15 Gathering the relevant experience from the FSAE Events participated, the team decided to participate in the most competitive FSAE event held in Germany. The team led by Sanshray Agarwal entered the competition by being 1st in the scrutinizing exam. They also stood out by being the only Indian team to participate in all the dynamic events.
Achievements
Formula Student Germany 2014 1. They stood 1st worldwide in the scrutinizing exam.
2. Only Indian team to participate in all the dynamic events.
Technical Specifications of PRV14 Car NamePRV14Car Number54 Total Weight265 kg Wheelbase1600 mm DampersTanner Brakes Type4 Outboard DiscsChassisSteel Space FrameSuspensionDouble Unequal Length A-arm with Push Rod actuated Spring DampersWheels13x7 Oz Racing WheelsTires DryHoosier Racing SlicksTires WetContinentalEngineHonda CBR 600RRDisplacement600 CCNew Feature Added1. Student built Pneumatic Gear and Clutch Control Unit and Translogic Dashboard, 2. Twill layup Carbon Fiber body and Limited Slip Differential
Season 2015-16 The 2015-16 Season started out fresh with the JK Tyre Formula Design Challenge, which was the first Indian Event the team took part in its history. Led by team captain Kushagra Sinha and team manager Shyam Mohan, the team won several accolades and was noted as they set the national record of completing the autocross lap in 1 Minute and 23 Second, which is still unbeaten. This was followed by their second participation in Formula Student Germany 2015, where the team stood out by giving the best results in the static events by an Indian Team in that event.
Achievements
JK Tyre Formula Design Challenge 2015 3rd Overall 2nd in Engineering Design Event. 2nd in Auto Cross Events 3rd in Business Presentation Event. 3rd in Cost & Manufacturing Event. 3rd in Skid pad Event.
Formula Student Germany 2015 8th in Cost & Manufacturing. 10th in Business Presentation Event. 21st in Engineering Design Event.
Technical Specifications of PRV15 Car NamePRV15Car Number54 Total Weight235 kg Wheelbase1564 mm DampersOhlins TTX 25 Mk II 4 Way adjustable Brakes Type4 Outboard DiscsChassisSteel Space FrameSuspensionDouble Unequal Length A-arm with Push Rod actuated Spring DampersWheels13x7 Oz Racing WheelsTires DryContinentalTires WetContinentalEngineHonda CBR 600RRDisplacement600 CCNew Feature Added1. In house developed Pneumatic Gear and Clutch Control Unit. 2. Carbon Epoxy Composite Body and Drexler Limited Slip Differential
Season 2016-17 Season 2016-17 was the year that changed the whole face of the team as they started off by winning in 7 out of the 11 events in Formula Student India 2016. It was a big achievement which gave them enough motivation to deliver the best results given by an India Formula Student Team in Formula Student Germany.