Fuelling Our Innovation

SHU Racing Chasing Efficiency with Innovative Fuel Tank Design

This year, SHU Racing are targeting an improvement in efficiency from their internal combustion (IC) powered car, and the team are aiming to win the “most efficient powertrain” award at the IMechE Formula Student event at Silverstone. The IC powertrain department team, led by Nathan Prentice, have been working on an array of innovative solutions aimed at improving performance and fuel efficiency. Developments in air intake design, exhaust and cooling are in the pipeline, whilst the 2021 fuel tank design has been finalised. Aimed at reducing fuel “slosh,” the 4L tank has a tapered 2- part construction. Initial investigations considered constructing the tank out of moulded Kevlar, however the powertrain team decided upon a welded Aluminium construction.

Engine efficiency is becoming ever more important in automotive and motorsport engineering, and the team are keen to apply their knowledge and experience to tackling the problem.

Meet the Team

Meet the Team is an opportunity for us to give you a chance to learn a little more about the people who make up SHU Racing. This week, we welcome our new Powertrain and Purchasing manager, Nathan Prentice. Nathan is in charge of developing the powertrain for the internal combustion car this year. This includes components like the exhaust, engine and radiators as well as many more. He is also the person who oversees the teams spending for the year to ensure we stay within budget.

Name: Nathan Prentice

Age: 21

Course: Meng Mechanical Engineering

Role: Powertrain and Purchasing Manager

Number of years with the Team: 4

Hobbies and Interests: Triathlon, Photography, Watersports, Playing musical instruments.

Favourite Car: VW Scirocco Mk2

Dream Job: Drivetrain design and development in automotive, motorsport, aerospace or in electrification projects

Reasons for Joining SHU Racing: Having followed motorsport from a young age, I knew that Formula Student would be an opportunity to gain valuable insight into a motor- racing environment. The flexibility in regulations mean that the car designs are so diverse across the different teams. Engineers from across the world use their different experience to come up with their machines, and the competition is incredible!

Being part of SHU Racing also provides the opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge whilst learning at university, and gain industry experience whilst working with a like- minded team.

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-prentice