Sepura announced its support for the University of Queensland's Formula SAE Racing team as they gear up for the Formula SAE-A competition. Sepura provided the team with specialised motorsport communications equipment, which the students will integrate into the car’s design and packaging. For the first time, the team will have two-way communication from the vehicle to the team, enabling strategic planning and communication during the event.

The students have engineered the integration of the TETRA radio and wiring harness into the vehicle, showcasing their innovative engineering solutions, which will earn them points in the competition for creativity and implementation.

TETRA technology is prominent in top-tier motorsports globally. This means for students aspiring to careers in the elite motorsport industry, exposure to and experience with TETRA radios will be invaluable.

Sepura provided their compact SC21 handheld device, which is installed in the car and connected to the driver’s helmet, complete with noise-cancelling helmet kits fitted by student engineers. Additionally, the Sepura SC20 device coupled with a specialised headset enables clear communication between the driver and chief engineer during the competition. Sepura will also supply additional radios throughout the event from December 5–8, 2024, at Melbourne’s Calder Park Raceway, facilitating team coordination

“We are thrilled to support the University of Queensland students by providing equipment to integrate into their car. It’s crucial to collaborate with students, offering them insights into the Radio Communications Industry and embedding our products into advanced designs for effective communication. We wish them success in this year’s competition.” Terence Ledger, Regional Director of APAC, Middle East and Africa, Sepura

The University of Queensland will send 27 team members to compete. In 2023, they secured a third-place finish against teams from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia and Taiwan. Over 25 teams from Asia and the Pacific are expected to compete at Calder this year. Team members volunteer for this extracurricular activity, with participants from diverse fields, including engineering, business, marketing, mathematics, and nursing. Funding is provided by the ‘School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering’, the ‘School of IT and Electrical Engineering’ and various sponsors.

Formula SAE involves student teams designing a small Formula-style race car to be evaluated as a potential product for weekend autocross enthusiasts. Each team’s car is judged on design, cost, and performance, adhering to safety and problem-solving rules. Competitions have been organised worldwide since 1980, with this event specifically for the Asia-Pacific region.