They felt the need for speed.
In May, 17 students from UHart’s branch of the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) made an annual trek to Michigan International Speedway, bringing a formula-style race car they designed and built themselves. The students—freshmen through seniors, from half a dozen majors—pitted their engineering skills against teams from around the world.
The competition, sanctioned by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International), challenges students to spend 8-12 months designing and fabricating their cars, which are then judged in a series of events over four days.
This year UHart’s team took 67th place out of a field of 121, up from 79th place last year. “UHart’s race team made significant improvements in many categories,” says Associate Professor Ted Diehl, director of the mechanical engineering program, who advised the team. “Our primary goal has been continued improvement each year.”
The main event of the competition is the endurance test, which features two drivers taking the car a total of ten laps, or 22 kilometers.
Before that, the car faced a battery of stringent technical inspections, led by judges from Ford, GM, Honda, and other major players in the automotive industry. Cars were judged in a number of categories, including cost, presentation, and design—three areas where Diehl says the team focused and improved over last year. The car’s weight, for example, was reduced from 462 pounds to 414.
The students also gave detailed presentations about the design and cost of the car, with the subteams for each of the car’s systems answering tough questions from industry leaders. Jack Lyons ‘24, who led the team in charge of the car’s suspension, was praised by his inspector for an excellent design and presentation.
Despite some technical setbacks, the team made an impressive 18.2% improvement in total points over last year.
Two technical advisors accompanied Diehl and the students to Michigan: Mick Spencer ’22, who spent four years on the team himself; and long-time supporter Paul Oliva ’76. “The continued support of Paul Oliva in so many ways cannot be overstated," says Diehl. “Paul is an integral part of team and a role model for all.”
FSAE is one of the most immersive clubs UHart has to offer, allowing students to experience all aspects of engineering throughout the year to find what part interests them most. In past years, members of the team have even received job offers from the judges, in recognition of the engineering skills they’ve developed during the course of the competition.
”In my opinion,” says Diehl, “there isn’t an activity anywhere or for anything on campus as remarkable.”
Associate Professor Ted Diehl, Director of the Mechanical Engineering ProgramIn my opinion, there isn’t an activity anywhere or for anything on campus as remarkable.