DETROIT (Jan. 17, 2012) - Wayne State University engineering students are taking part in the 2012 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo Hall in Detroit. Thirteen members of the WSU Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) team, along with their 2011 formula race car, are at the two-week event, promoting their team, the College of Engineering and Wayne State University.
Founded in 1978, the SAE Collegiate Design Series challenges students to design, build and race small formula-style race cars. The cars are judged in static and dynamic events that include elements such as design, cost, potential vehicle marketing, acceleration, autocross (handling and speed) and endurance/fuel economy.
The Wayne State team, dubbed Warrior Racing, has competed since 2004 and in 2011 placed 29th of 121 teams entered at FSAE Michigan in the presentation event. The team received the Henkel Technologies Award for best use of structural foam in 2005.
"Formula SAE provides students with a real-world, hands-on engineering experience that complements their classroom education and makes them immediately valuable to employers," said Michele Grimm, associate professor of biomedical engineering and team adviser.
Visitors to the FSAE booth will be able to take a close look at the formula car, watch video clips of the car in action, and learn about both the team and Wayne State's College of Engineering. Wayne State student Steve Slumpff, president of the Warrior Racing team, hopes to connect with potential students and team members, but is also eager to network with industry representatives.
"The auto show is a great opportunity for us to reach out to industry, make some connections and show the quality of work that we do here at the College of Engineering," Slumpff said.
Entering its 24th year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world, providing access to the newest innovations in the automotive industry. Slumpff and his team will be able to discuss their work not only with the general audience, but also with press and industry representatives during their respective preview days.
Wayne State FSAE members attending the North American International Auto Show are: William Debusschere, Lex Dodson, Brien Dux, Adam Green, Mo Kakli, Richard Le Page, Robert Niemczyk, Ken Siegner, Steve Slumpff, Steve Sute, Andrew Vaitkevicius, Alex Visconti and Kristina Vujic. Additional members of the team are: Greg Broadwell, Eric Kroepel, Joe Pisani and Andrew Swindler.
Nearly all of the Wayne State FSAE team's funding and equipment comes through sponsorships. The 2011 team is sponsored by: General Motors, EngineLab, Yazaki, Torchmate, Pennsylvania Steel Corporation, TE Connectivity, Lincoln Electric, Cartesian, East-Lind Heat Treat Inc., ThyssenKrupp, Pratt and Miller, LADD Inc., DuPont, Brembo, SKF Group, Detroit Tube Products, the WSU College of Engineering Alumni Association, Production Tool Supply, Raven Engineering, NGK, Grainger, Fiber Materials Inc., Cold Forming Technology Inc., RJS Racing Equipment, Orlandi Gear Company and Walbro.
Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 400 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 32,000 students. Visit the WSU College of Engineering at engineering.wayne.edu.