A University of New Mexico student-built racecar placed 14th, UNM’s best finish ever, in the 2005 Formula Society of Automotive Engineers competition last month in Pontiac, Michigan. The contest is the largest international engineering competition in the world.
UNM placed 14th in design, 14th in endurance and 15th in skid pad during the four-day event. The competition involves a yearlong effort by student teams to conceive, design, analyze, build, test, train, and race small formula-style racing cars.
Approximately 140 teams from around the world compete in seven categories, judged by hundreds of industry professionals.
“I am very proud of this year’s team and the past teams upon which they built,” said Mechanical Engineering Professor and faculty advisor John Russell. “They showed they belonged with the best in the world. Our team demonstrated it had what it takes to win by performing well in all aspects of the competition.”
Areas judged at the competition are for marketing presentation, design report and presentation, and manufacturing. Timed events are acceleration, skid pad, autocross, and a 22 lap endurance event. The UNM team earned 275 more points in this year’s endurance event compared to last year. Less than one-third of the entries finished this event.
“Our 2005 team took UNM to a higher level,” said School of Engineering Dean Joseph L. Cecchi. “They earned more points in endurance than last year and built on the successes of the past. Since this year’s team is comprised of members of past teams, Dr. Russell is ensuring continuity and building strengths.”
The next event for the team is a two-day meet at the University of Texas, Arlington on July 16-17. Teams enjoy the practice this weekend offers, as teams can race as many times as they want, and for UNM, the baton is passed from last year’s to next year’s team.
Students on the team begin a three-semester, for-credit course in the spring semester of their junior year. First semester is dedicated to the academics of racecar design. In the fall, students build the car and then test it in the spring. Students learn about racecar engineering. The class is an alternative to the required senior design project in Mechanical Engineering.
Russell says that he and the students have different goals when the class begins, but all goals converge at the finish line. "Their goal is to win the competition. My goal is to give them tools they can use when they graduate. The racecar is just a neat tool to show them project management, systems engineering and teamwork.”
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The generosity of the sponsors is vital to the UNM team. An important part of support comes from local companies allowing the UNM team to use their facilities and equipment. Corporate sponsors include Ford Motor Company, Waterjet Cutting, Maloy Diversified, Wagner Equipment, Express Cash, Sandia National Labs, Kaehr Plating, Sandia Federal Credit Union, Chapparal Electric, Action Hose, Don Chalmers Ford, Bob Turner's Ford Country, Car Crafters, Reddick Auto Body, ASME New Mexico Professional Section, Dr. Lisa King DDS, and Discount Tire Company. UNM sponsors include the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, the School of Engineering, the Mechanical Engineering Department and the Manufacturing Engineering Program.
Contacts: Tamara Williams, (505) 277-5859 or Greg Johnston, (505) 277-1816