With a roar of the engine – they were
off!
Western’s Formula SAE
team unveiled their 2005 vehicle to a group of faculty, staff,
students, family and friends Saturday, May 7.
The University’s Formula Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) is ready to compete in this year’s annual
FSAE event in Pontiac, Michigan, from May
18th – May 22nd at the Pontiac Silver dome.
The 25-member student team has been
designing and building the small formula-style racecar since last
summer. Using the design from last year's car, this year’s team has
built a car that can go from 0 – 100 km/hr in just 3 seconds.
“Our vehicle can go 1.2
to 1.5 g’s in a skid pad,” says Project Manager Alberto
Da Rocha.
“A Ferrari can only pull .9.”
Building a Formula SAE
racecar takes a lot of time and a lot of hard work. The students
manage the entire process from design to safety features to
sponsorship all by themselves. The team currently has 24 sponsors,
but they are always looking for more help.
“Sponsors help us in so
many ways,” says Da Rocha. “Their
generous donations make it possible for us to carry out a student
project of this scale, but they also provide us with connections for
our future. Many of our past team members now work for companies
that sponsored our car.”
This is the 11th
consecutive time Western has entered the competition, which
showcases engineering knowledge, manufacturing ability, and driving
skills. Technical inspections, dynamic events, and endurance of the
vehicles are key elements of the challenge. A new car must be built
each year from each entrant.
The top winning team from the Michigan
competition receives a cash prize, new sets of tires and a trophy.
Those finishing in the top 10 will also receive trophies. Western’s
best finish was in 2002 when they were named the top Canadian team
and finished eighth in the world.
Photos
* Photos by Ralph Buchal and Allison Stevenson
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Project Managers Alberto Da Rocha and Chris Gregory welcolme guests. |
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Alberto Da Rocha and Chris Gregory unveil the 2005 car. |
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Guests check out the new car. |
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Team members prep the car for a driving demonstration. |
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Chris Gregory prepares to drive the car. |
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