UE Formula SAE Team Wins First in Annual Competition
March 2, 2007

A team of UE students came out on top for the second consecutive year at the annual Indiana Section of the Society of Automotive Engineers Competition in Indianapolis Feb. 22. Along with the winning title, the team brought back nearly $700 to put toward the funding of its Formula SAE car.

The team was challenged in this verbal presentation competition by four other competitors, including UE’s Aerospace team, ISU’s Hovercraft team, IUPUI’s All-Wheel Drive Research team, and USI’s Toyota Primer Application team.

Competing teams presented on SAE-related project design using visual aids and adhering to a 10-minute time limit. Teams were judged on the ideas presented, the quality of the presentation, the quality of the visual aids used, and the ability of the team to answer questions posed by the judges.

UE’s Formula SAE project was represented at the competition by Senior Todd Chandler, and Juniors Tamara Esche, Dustin Jones, Ian McGiffen, David Mills, and Nathan Schmitt. These six team members presented an overview of the formula car’s design. Car components discussed included the frame, suspension, uprights, engine, intake, and stub shafts. The team also discussed the extensive amount of fundraising for the car that has taken place this year. After the presentation, the team fielded questions presented by not only the judges but also the other competitors regarding the current status of the project, estimated project completion date, and the project background at UE.

The Formula SAE team is currently in the fabrication phase of the project, but plans to have the car running shortly after Spring Break ending. The car will compete in May in the national Formula SAE competition in Detroit.