Gravity Racer popular learning competition among HAN Automotive Engineering students
On Tuesday afternoon, 17 December 2024, the Gravity Racer was held on the exit of parking deck behind the education building at Ruitenberglaan 29 in Arnhem! The annual event is a popular 2nd-year project among full-time Automotive students. The self-built vehicles were very much in competition with each other. As a result, the differences between them were very small, making it a nerve-racking and exciting race!
What does the Gravity Racer involve?
Lecturer Arthur Appelman supervises this learning project: ‘In the third semester, seven groups from Automotive designed and built a “Gravity Racer”. This is a vehicle that has to run a course as fast as possible using gravity, after first driving down the parking deck exit at dizzying speed. It is a fun and educational project that students are working on with great enthusiasm.’
What should the vehicle comply with?
‘The vehicle has to be built to our own design. So all parts have to be very well calculated and drawn by the students first. A week before the race, they undergo a successful technical and safety inspection. The assessment is mainly based on the design and its following in the construction process. Furthermore, of course, what counts is the (growth in) professionalism and cooperation within the team.’
How did this race actually come about?
‘The race is derived from the famous Red Bull Gravity race in which numerous professional teams compete.’
