2008 Woodie Awards
Student-engineered racecar heads to competition
PSU Public Relations
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: Campus Life
A team of engineering technology students will put their creation to the test next week when they represent Pittsburg State University in the Formula SAE VIR competition, April 23-26, in Alton, Va.
The team, consisting of five manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology students, built the Formula SAE racecar as a senior project. This is the second year for PSU to enter a Formula SAE Series competition.
"Last year was a learning process," said Larry Williamson, professor and project adviser. According to Williamson, a rigorous technical inspection was a challenge to pass at last year's competition, but the team is confident with this year's design.
"We think we've got a vehicle that will be very competitive this year," said Williamson.
He added that the PSU team will be competing against Division I schools that have been involved with the Formula SAE Series competitions since they started in the early 1990s.
Travis Budenbender, team captain, said that getting to race the car is only a part of the event.
"This is an engineering competition, not necessarily a race," Budenbender said. "The challenge is to design, manufacture and build a prototype racecar."
The team will also deliver sales and marketing presentations as well as report on their budget.
"We'll present what sets us apart from the other cars, including a design report to break down the cost of every nut and bolt," said Budenbender.
For more information on the PSU Formula SAE racing team, call Williamson at 235-4355.
The team, consisting of five manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology students, built the Formula SAE racecar as a senior project. This is the second year for PSU to enter a Formula SAE Series competition.
"Last year was a learning process," said Larry Williamson, professor and project adviser. According to Williamson, a rigorous technical inspection was a challenge to pass at last year's competition, but the team is confident with this year's design.
"We think we've got a vehicle that will be very competitive this year," said Williamson.
He added that the PSU team will be competing against Division I schools that have been involved with the Formula SAE Series competitions since they started in the early 1990s.
Travis Budenbender, team captain, said that getting to race the car is only a part of the event.
"This is an engineering competition, not necessarily a race," Budenbender said. "The challenge is to design, manufacture and build a prototype racecar."
The team will also deliver sales and marketing presentations as well as report on their budget.
"We'll present what sets us apart from the other cars, including a design report to break down the cost of every nut and bolt," said Budenbender.
For more information on the PSU Formula SAE racing team, call Williamson at 235-4355.
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