Industrial collaborative deal provides exciting opportunity for Degree students

Coventry University students studying on the Motorcycle BEng course, within the department of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, have been provided with an exciting opportunity through the supportive generosity of businesses in the industry.

The final year student cohort, who are studying their motorcycle chassis engineering module, have been set an exciting challenge to analyse motorcycle and rider performance through the use of data-logging.

Geoff Booth, Course Director for Motorsport Engineering said:

Setting up projects in collaboration with industry always takes a special effort, but the generosity of our collaborative partners has provided a fantastic opportunity for the students.

Dave Luscombe, Director of Luscombe Consulting Ltd, has played a key part in bringing the University and the key industries together. His assistance in this project has been invaluable.

The department’s own Yamaha YZF600 motorcycle will be equipped with a data-logger system, loaned by Datron Technology. This will allow suspension movement, wheel speed and engine speed to be recorded and logged as well as outputting a detailed map of machine trajectory on the track, through the use of GPS.

The aim of the exercise is to analyse the machine/rider combination through rider feedback and scrutiny of the various recorded data channels, which will enable calculated adjustments to be made to optimise key parameter settings and thus maximise performance.

The rider will be Mark Dicken, from Leicestershire, who came highly recommended by James Brennan of Hypersport Motorcycles.

Mark, who is currently sponsored by Photobikes.com, has won the Derby Phoenix Pre-injection championship for last two consecutive years and will have the unenviable task of riding the bike at Mallory Park whilst the team of students scrutinise his every move!

Geoff Booth continued:

Mallory Park have allowed us five track sessions, free of charge. Datron have even provided us with full trackside technical support and Dunlop have sponsored us with a set of high performance tyres. Such generosity is overwhelming and without it, we would not be able to offer the students such an exciting and focused learning opportunity. Collaborations with the industry are so important as they can significantly enhance the quality and status of our courses.

Coventry University student, Ian Stewart added:

Practical experience is an essential part of the learning at Coventry University, and the opportunity to take lectures to Mallory Park is an invaluable chance to put classroom theory into practice.

The close links the University has to local businesses is a major persuasion for a large number of students to come to Coventry, and for me personally, the Motorcycle and Motorsport Engineering course has been hugely informative as well as exceedingly enjoyable. I’m certain it has given me all the tools I need to successfully pursue a career in the motorsport industry.