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The roar of a racing car engine produced by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) broke the morning silence in the Radin Omar Engineer Auditorium compound, UPM's Faculty of Engineering during the launch of 'PUTRA 2'. PUTRA 2 was produced through the 'Putra Motorsport Team' with the involvement of 73 students, assisted by 10 academic advisors and five technical staff throughout the 13-month development period starting July 2025. The launch is in preparation for the Putra Motorsport Team to represent Malaysia in the 24th Formula SAE Japan competition which will be held in Aichi, Japan, from 2 to 7 August. Behind the thin clouds of smoke and the agility of the machinery being driven in a technical demonstration, thousands of hours of sweat and tears were culminated by 73 local engineering students who aspire to conquer the international circuit.. PUTRA 2, the machinery produced is not just a high-speed machine. It is a manifestation of courage, innovation and proof that local students can stand on the same level as global engineering experts. For UPM Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Ir Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah, the launch of PUTRA 2 is a symbol of the success of the experience-based education model. He stressed that universities should now function as platforms that translate theories in the classroom into real-world solutions. |
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"This project reflects an integrated effort that spans various engineering fields. "At UPM, success is no longer just measured by a series of excellent grades, but by the ability of students to produce real impact on the industry. "PUTRA 2 proves that our students are not just 'studying' engineering, but they are building the country's technological future," he said. According to him, UPM's fourth participation shows the university's consistency in cultivating talent that has global competitiveness and is the only university to represent Malaysia in this edition. For the record, the first time UPM competed with their racing machine named 'JEBAT' was in the 2016 edition, followed by 'LEKIR' (2018) and 'PUTRA 1' (2024). Looking at the anatomy of this machine, it is clear that it is the result of meticulous handwork. Developed for 13 months starting July 2025, PUTRA 2 features significant evolution compared to its predecessor, PUTRA 1. Putra Motorsport Team chose a chassis made of lightweight yet strong 'Chromoly' steel, matched with a custom-made composite carbon fiber body. One technical innovation that the team is proud of is the use of a 'pushrod' ​​suspension system. This system allows adjustments to be made in more detail according to the circuit profile, whether requiring a low profile for straight-line acceleration or a slightly higher profile for stability in sharp corners. The heart of this machine is driven by a specially tuned 693cc CFMOTO 700MT engine. With the ability to produce 72 horsepower (hp) and 61 Nm of torque, the PUTRA 2 is capable of reaching speeds between 90km/h and 100km/h, a figure that is quite competitive for the Formula Penutut category. Behind the grandeur of these specifications, lies a story of the struggle of this project in its early stages. Team captain, Aliman Zafran Yuslaimi, 23, revealed that the project began with very tight financial constraints. "This project is actually a heartwarming story. We started with an account balance of only around RM5,000. "To build machinery that costs a total of almost RM120,000 with such little capital is considered impossible for many people. "However, we hold to the motto 'Once Throttled, Move Forward'. We are not looking back," he said. Thanks to the dedication of the students and the support of the Faculty of Engineering management, Putra Motorsport Team has succeeded in gaining the confidence of industry partners. Among them are Embun Karisma Resources (M) Sdn Bhd as the main sponsor, Ranhill Berhad (gold sponsor) and CFMOTO through Sunlight Power Sdn Bhd (platinum sponsor). |
The Formula SAE Japan competition is often considered the 'Engineering Olympics' for university students. Putra Motorsport Team Advisor Prof Ir Dr Mohd Khairol Anuar Mohd Ariffin explained that the evaluation in Japan will include two main segments, 'Static Event' and 'Dynamic Event'. "Many people mistakenly think this is just a racing competition. In fact, big scores are given to the static segment. "Students need to present cost analysis reports, engineering designs, and even business plan proposals. "They need to convince the jury, like real investors, why their machinery is worthy of being commercially marketed," he said. For the dynamic segment on the circuit, the machinery will be tested through acceleration tests, time trials and endurance tests over a distance of 26 kilometres (20 laps). With the competition expected to involve 83 teams from around the world, Aliman Zafran has set realistic yet challenging targets for the 2026 mission. "We are aiming to be in the top 30 teams. This is a big achievement for us. "Apart from technology, we also focus on Data Acquisition (DAQ) systems. "We monitor car data in real time to ensure the machine's performance is always optimal without relying entirely on driver feedback," he added. The main driver, Muhammad Fadhlin Mohd Fuaad, 22, also shared his excitement. For him, driving the PUTRA 2 provides a much different experience in terms of comfort and responsiveness of the machine. He said that this experience not only tested his driving skills, but also trained him to communicate technically with the mechanics team in the pits. One aspect that is rarely seen publicly is how Putra Motorsport Team maintains continuity of knowledge. The project involved a combination of second to fourth year students. The process of passing on knowledge from seniors to juniors is carried out systematically so that this engineering expertise does not stop once students graduate. "This is a real-world simulation. They learn about people management, working under pressure and solving unforeseen problems on the circuit." "This is the quality of engineer that today's industry is looking for," said Prof Ahmad Farhan, ending the conversation. PUTRA 2 is now ready for action. It will not only carry the UPM brand, but also bring the hope and dignity of the country to the land of the rising sun. From Serdang to Aichi, the aspirations of these young Malaysian engineers are now breaking global boundaries, proving that local innovation is indeed world-class. |
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Article shared by: Norliyani Anor | Data Programme Data Section Source from:
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Date of Input: 20/07/2026 | Updated: 20/07/2026 | aidawati
(Office of Vice Chancellor)
Level 4 The Office of The Deputy Vice Chancellor
(Research & Innovation) Building
Off Highway Sillicon
43400 UPM Serdang
Selangor
