The Journey of the Bern Racing Team (BRT)

Origin & Inspiration

Founded in 2014, the Bern Racing Team, commonly known as BRT, traces its roots back to the innovative Bern Formula Student (BFS) association. This initiative was the brainchild of two forward-thinking automotive engineering students from the Bern University of Applied Sciences. Their transformative year abroad in Germany, involving internships at prominent automotive companies, exposed them to the thrilling world of Formula Student teams, deeply influencing their future endeavors.

The Birth of a Vision

Fuelled by their experiences and recognizing the scarcity of Formula Student teams in Switzerland, these visionary students established BFS. Their first major milestone was the creation of “BERNA”, a prototype developed by a dedicated team of 15 within just nine months. This marked the beginning of an era of relentless innovation and progress.

Evolving with Time

Year after year, BFS showcased remarkable evolution – transitioning from a chain drive to a spur gear and eventually pioneering the first wheel hub drive with “BIENNA” in the 16/17 season. The team’s unyielding commitment was evident as early as the 15/16 season when they met all SAE FS regulatory requirements, a testament to their dedication.

A Historical Achievement

The 21/22 season was a landmark period. For the first time, the team’s vehicle, “ADIA“, not only passed the dynamic discipline approvals but also triumphantly completed the grueling 22km Endurance discipline, etching a significant chapter in BFS’s history.

Structural Evolution

This period led to the decision to restructure the association to better meet the technical requirements and the expectations of the university. This change resulted in the creation of the Bern Racing Team in 2022.

Supported by alumni from previous seasons and the Berner Fachhochschule, the new structure implemented a solid process for knowledge transfer between seasons. This led to a significant improvement in the team’s performance.

These advancements allowed the team to achieve its first podium finishes, break into the top 50 of the World Ranking, and become the second-best Swiss team.

Bern Racing Team

In 2023, “NEBULA“ was the first car built by the Bern Racing Team. It enabled the team to complete its first full season, successfully finishing all its events.
That year, the Bern Racing Team was ranked 49th in the World Ranking and had the honor of celebrating several podium finishes.

Performance Redefined

Building on the evolution of existing concepts and technologies, the following year saw the creation of “SAJETTA“, an even more advanced car. This breakthrough allowed the team to break its speed records in acceleration and achieve a sub-5-second performance in the Skidpad discipline.

Future

For the 2025 season, the team has decided to rethink certain concepts and is exploring new approaches to make “TREMOLA”, its latest car, even more efficient and high-performing. The Bern Racing Team is larger than ever, now comprising nearly 70 members.