The dream of victory

At first glance, the new racing car looks similar to its predecessor - apart from its eye-catching pink paintwork. However, there is a completely new concept under the hood: instead of the previous rear-wheel drive, the team now relies on a powerful all-wheel drive with wheel-hub-integrated electric motors. "This new drive concept alone makes the car something special," explains Jannis Kneule, Technical Director of the racing forge. "We have continuously optimized the previous rear-wheel drive system, but have reached its physical limits. The all-wheel drive now brings twice the power to the road."

The compact design without a separate drive unit or propshaft creates space in the chassis - including for the battery and a fiberglass firewall that protects the driver in an emergency. The aerodynamics have also been optimized - the front wing has been redesigned and the sidepods reworked. The team also developed its own aluminum brake with a ceramic coating. Steering is via a rack and pinion, and the steering torque is transmitted via a bevel gear. The monocoque is made of CFRP with an aluminum honeycomb core.

Stöber: Technology partner from the very beginning

Stöber has supported Rennschmiede since it was founded - initially mainly financially, and since the switch to electric drive in 2020 as a platinum sponsor. "Today, we not only contribute money, but also supply technology and expertise," says Tim Lang, Head of Applications at Stöber. Together with the racing team, standard components were modified for racing use - including drive controllers and individual components for the motors and gearboxes. These are actually used in industrial applications, for example in machine tools with multiple axes. The conversion to racing conditions required special adaptations and close coordination with the students. Stöber also provides support in the production and machining of other mechanical components of the racing car. The team also had access to state-of-the-art production technologies. Test runs on the company's own engine test bench were also made possible.

Trusting partnership

The collaboration between the company and the university is based on trust and expertise. "Stöber always had an open ear for us and our ideas - even if they sounded crazy at first glance," says Paula Zachmann, Team Leader Sponsoring. "The engineers worked with us to find solutions." Paul Schenk, Team Leader High Voltage, adds: "Whether it was gearbox production, design or questions about electric drive technology - we always received competent support."

Things got exciting for the students in mid-July: The FS Switzerland race took place in Geschinen. In the middle of the Swiss Alps, the RSP25 "Rosequartz" was able to prove its performance for the first time. The positive results motivated the young development team - they are now using their findings to further optimize the car. The team will contest the second race at the FS Czech from August 4 to 9 on the grounds of the Autodrom in Most, Czech Republic. The season will conclude with the technically demanding FS Germany event from August 18 to 24 at the Hockenheimring.

Students from Pforzheim have been taking part in this international design competition since 2014. The RSP25 Rosequartz is now the eighth car in the Edelstein series and the fifth electric racing car in a row.