OPWC 1 - The Roaring 80s

OPWC-1 The Roaring 80s



Somewhere in a dimly lit design studio, a team of caffeine-fueled engineers and designers huddle around a cluttered table. Blueprints, sketches, and wind tunnel data are scattered everywhere, the room humming with the electric energy of innovation and rivalry. Outside, the iconic streets of Monaco await the future of Formula 1.

Meet the FIA. Yeah, that FIA—the guardians of motorsport, the ones who make the rules, break the rules, and then make some more. They’re looking for something new, something bold, and something that’ll make the racing world sit up and say, “Holy turbochargers, what were they thinking?!”

The 1985 season is on the horizon, and with it comes a wave of regulation changes that’ll shake up the grid. Think of it as a game of chess where the pieces are moving at 200 miles per hour, and the board is constantly shifting. The FIA needs a visual representation of these new regulations—something that’ll not only capture the essence of speed and innovation but also give a nod to the madness of design that keeps F1 fans on the edge of their seats.

They’re not looking for your average, run-of-the-mill, “this’ll do” kind of designs. No, they want cars with character, cars that scream, “This is the future!” even if that future looks a bit, well, bonkers. If your design makes people wonder if the designers were a bit too fond of their espresso, you’re on the right track.


Objective:

Your challenge is to create a wild and revolutionary design that reflects the 1985 F1 regulations. This isn’t just about meeting the rulebook—this is about pushing the boundaries, creating something that’s as much a piece of art as it is a piece of engineering. Jazz it up, twist it around, and make it something that’ll make the world go, “What in the actual F1 are they driving?!”


Design Requirements

Design Requirements:

  1. Aerodynamic Innovation:
    Reflect the new limits on ground effects and wing sizes. We’re talking about channeling airflow in ways that might make even the wind blush. Go big, go bold, or go home.

  2. Safety Features:
    The new regulations are all about keeping drivers in one piece, even when things go sideways. Your design should incorporate the latest in crash structures and driver protection, without losing that signature F1 sleekness.

  3. Powertrain Evolution:
    Turbochargers are in, and they’re here to stay. Your design should celebrate the shift towards these more efficient engines, showing off how they can be as powerful as they are compact.

  4. Team Identity:
    The regulations might be universal, but your design shouldn’t be. Infuse your car with the personality of a specific team—whether it’s a rebellious underdog or an established powerhouse.

Regulations and Restrictions
  • Family Year: 1980-1985

  • Trim Year: 1985

  • Legacy and Open Wheel Bodies: Banned. (Ironic, we know, but those things are bugged to hell—use 3D fixtures instead.)

  • Advanced Settings: Allowed, but don’t get carried away.

  • Techpool: 50 Million chassis

  • Techpool: 20 Million engine

  • **Techpool: Minimum techpool of 3, outside of safety which should be +5 **

  • Safety Quality: No negative quality in safety, because the drivers still need to walk away at the end of the race.

  • Turbo engines have a max capacity of 1500cc.

  • Naturally Aspirated engines have a max capacity of 3000cc.

  • Tire sizes MUST be 660mm x 380mm R13 in the rear, and 635mm x 255mm R13 at the front.

  • Infinite grip glitch will get you instabinned (sorry mr betterdeals)

  • *Wheelbase should be 2.5 - 2.8 Metres.

Judging Criteria
  • Design: We want something that looks like it was built by mad geniuses, but in the best possible way. :star::star::star::star::star:

  • Innovations: We’re looking for clever solutions and wild ideas that push the boundaries of what’s possible. :star::star::star::star:

  • Laptime: This is still F1—speed matters. We’ll be timing your designs to see who really knows how to put the pedal to the metal. :star::star::star:

  • Livery: Your car should be as visually striking as it is fast. Make it something that’ll turn heads before it even hits the track. :star::star:

  • Safety: We’re all for crazy designs, but they’ve got to keep the driver in one piece. Show us you can innovate without compromising safety. :star:

Deadline and Submissions

Submissions Open: 10th of August

Submissions Close: 30th of August

Naming Convention: OPWC 1 - [forum username] As the Engine Family and Car Model name. Variant and Trim names are free.

Submission method: Discord or Forums. (My discord is oll_ie)

Resubmissions: 2 before the Deadline.

Inspirations




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8 Likes

There has never been a challenge requiring us to make open-wheeled cars out of something else… Until now, that is.

3 Likes

How do I make a livery in Automation? Especially with a fully 3D car? There are the livery patches but those don’t work well even with visible bodies

3 Likes

Looks like an open wheel blönder is not going to happen :man_shrugging:

4 Likes

do not underestimate the betterdeals man

4 Likes

well considering how simple and flat 80s cars can be, just color the panels and make livery shapes with the same 3d fixtures

2 Likes

Or even better to what Ollie said; Dont make a livery at all!
(joking but this is very much an option, you can just paint it a solid color or 2 and put some sponsors on it)


An example of this working.

2 Likes

Um what about MSRP limit or something that limit quality?

1 Like

Neither should really be too much of a problem, its not like there was a cost cap in F1 at the time.

last, what is Legacy body? I heard that is banned.

3 Likes

Theyre really old bodies made in an earlier game engine that are rather broken
Only included anymore so old builds arent disappeared

1 Like

thank you

3 Likes

this is my first open wheel build so try to not laugh at me

1 Like

man my f1 kept roll over

1 Like

Too much downforce. Cars with too much downforce and grip like to roll over in automation.
(oh yeah, i’ll also note that im technically co-hosting this so you can trust me)

i know lol. I maxout car width.

2 Likes

This challenge seems good, but imo the tech pool and end date are limiting
for an advanced cutting edge project like this they tend to use technologies a lot more advanced than 5 years
and for a complex 3d challenge like this, 10 days isnt really enough imo

2 Likes

I was going to ask Ollie about making the deadline longer, it is indeed quite short. But for the tech, i dont think it is really necessary, as most of the tech you would need is already available. For example, do you really need a CVT, super advanced turbos, active suspension, etc.? I dont think so at least, and at least i find simplicity an important factor in challenges, especially since the design will already be complex enough.

What would you reccomend techpoints be at then? and yeah the deadline is changing, making it roughly 20 days

3 Likes

Id consider having a budget and allowing people to choose what they want to go for, or maybe just a higher flat rate maybe
And nice, 20 dats would help a lot

1 Like