Full Speed Ahead into Practice
A race car, international competitions, and plenty of teamwork: Every year, students from RPTU and Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences work together in the KaRaT Racing Team to develop a new vehicle. In the process, they apply the knowledge they’ve gained in their studies, take on responsibility, and build valuable contacts for the future.
In the Kaiserslautern Racing Team (KaRaT) workshop, students tinker, discuss, and design: Amid carbon fiber parts, screwdrivers, and laptops, a race car takes shape over the course of several months—a car that will compete on an international racetrack this summer.
Anyone entering the workshop for the first time quickly gets a sense of how much passion goes into this project. That’s exactly how it was for André Vill: “When I saw the workshop and got a glimpse of the diverse work involved, I was immediately thrilled.”
André Vill is studying industrial engineering with a focus on mechanical engineering at Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences. One day, outside the lecture hall, he came across an information booth set up by the racing team. Today, he heads the club’s “Public Relations” department. Together with his team, he handles public relations and ensures that KaRaT remains visible even outside the workshop.
Working Together Toward a Common Goal
Behind KaRaT lies an idea that has connected two universities for nearly 20 years: In 2007, students from what was then the Technical University of Kaiserslautern and the University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern joined forces to participate in Formula Student: an international engineering competition in which university teams develop a new race car every year.
“We have to build a completely new car every year. This allows us to continually develop new solutions and stay abreast of the latest technical advancements.”
As the only Formula Student team from Rhineland-Palatinate, KaRaT competes with its race car in events across Europe. “We have to build a completely new car every year,” says André Vill, explaining the unique challenge. “This means we’re constantly developing new solutions and keeping up with the latest technical advancements.” Resting on last year’s laurels—that’s exactly what’s not an option.
After all, Formula Student isn’t just about speed. In addition to the driving disciplines, expert juries evaluate, among other things, the vehicle’s design, manufacturing, cost planning, and the overall presentation of the project. This requires not only technical expertise but also organizational skills, creativity, and teamwork.
From Mechanical Engineering to Textile Engineering
Students from a wide variety of areas of study work together on the racing team: whether from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, Computer Science, Business Studies and Economics, or leather and textile engineering. “Basically, anyone can join, no matter what they’re studying,” says André Vill. “If you want to join the team, you don’t need any prior knowledge. What’s much more important is that you’re eager to work on a project.”
“Anyone who wants to join the team doesn’t need any prior knowledge. What’s much more important is that you’re eager to work on a project.”
Those interested in design or electronics will find a role here just as easily as students who prefer to organize events, work with companies, or handle public relations. Which area someone takes on does not depend on their degree program.
Designing, planning, solving problems
In nearly every area, students can apply and expand upon the knowledge they’ve gained in their studies. “In the club, you can apply a lot of what you learn in lectures,” explains André Vill. “That’s incredibly motivating and serves as a valuable complement to the theory.”
For example, students use digital design software, develop components, organize events, or take on responsibility for sponsors or project management. At the same time, they learn to meet deadlines, make decisions, and work together toward a common goal. “Knowledge is power,” says André Vill. “No matter what you know—whether from your studies or your personal life—you can almost always put it to use with us.”
Learning from and with Each Other
KaRaT members receive support from former team members who pass on their experiences to the next generation. In addition, the team documents its findings in its own database so that new members can draw on the experiences of previous seasons.
At regular team meetings, members discuss ideas, test them out, and search for solutions together. Different opinions are an integral part of the process: “Of course, with so many steps and tasks, we don’t always agree right away. But that’s the beauty of it,” says André Vill. “Because we’re such a diverse group of people, we’re constantly getting new input and avoid tunnel vision.” Ultimately, he says, the key is to find the best solution together.
Connections to Numerous Companies
The Racing Team is supported by numerous companies that provide financial backing for the project or supply software, materials, and technical expertise. This also gives the students valuable connections to potential employers.
“You show potential employers that you’ve already worked within an organizational structure.”
This often leads to internships or part-time student jobs. Many former members also now work at companies within the club’s network and remain connected to KaRaT. “Many companies also really appreciate it when you’re already involved in a club like KaRaT while you’re still in school,” says Vill. “You show that you’ve worked within an organizational structure before, that you understand teamwork, and that you can get things done together.”
More Than Just a Competition
The highlight of every season is the Formula Student competitions. The team then travels together with race cars, tools, and camping gear to racetracks in various European countries—such as Spain, France, Poland, or Hungary. There, the students meet teams from all over the world.
“Despite the competition, our shared passion takes center stage at these events,” says André Vill. “The teams support one another, exchange experiences, and help each other with technical problems.” For him, the camaraderie within his own team is just as important. “I’ve made many friends through KaRaT, and I’m always happy to see everyone again, to see what the others have been working on, and to see if there’s anything I can help with.”
For André Vill, it’s precisely this mix that makes the project so appealing: the collaborative work, the friendships, and the satisfying feeling at the end of a season of having created something that wouldn’t have been possible without teamwork. He’s convinced that these very experiences stay with many team members long after they graduate.