Lakehead Engineering Students Launch for the 2009 FSAE Michigan Competition
It's OfficialLakehead University's Thunder Wolf Formula-1 Racing Team is registered for the 2009 Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) Michigan Competition on May 13th thru 16th, 2009. |
What started as an idea between a few engineering students has grown over the past three years into a team of 30 students, building a formula-style racing car to compete for international success. The solely student-run initiative designs and fabricates the car with the goal of presenting the project at the FSAE Michigan Competition. This is the ultimate competition in the field of Formula-1 student car building. The Lakehead University student team will compete among 120 schools from around the world.
The project allows students enrolled in the engineering program to apply their theoretical and practical knowledge to an initiative with a tangible outcome. Faculty of Engineering members are occasionally consulted on the project, however, the Team themselves must problem solve, become creative in their ideas, and produce a complete Formula-1 style racing car. “This project gives students an opportunity which will only benefit them and open many doors to become engineering professionals of the future”, says Brandon Porter, LUFSAE Project Manager. “The project prepares students for industry by developing their core competencies as they employ classroom knowledge into real world applications. I have already seen the students gain an understanding of such transferable skills as professionalism, communication, teamwork, and project management. ”, says Dr. Sultan Siddiqui, Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Faculty Advisor of the project.
This past year, the Team acquired its own workshop on campus. “Our own space for the project, a huge step for our Team”, says Parmvir Lakhi, Sponsorship Coordinator. “The garage-style space located in the Lot-5 Research building provides us with a hydraulic lift, assembly table, tools, welding system and compressor equipment”.
To date the car’s frame and engine are complete and its design is ready for fabrication and assembly for the remainder of the car. With the Team registered for the Michigan competition in May 2009, they are constantly keeping in mind the rules and regulations of the Society. Officials judge the cars on a variety of areas including chassis dynamics, safety measures, durability and all out performance. The judges also look for demonstrated team work, creativity and cost effectiveness.
In addition to building the car, the team is required to fundraising for every aspect of the project from parts, to assembly tools, to travel expenses. “We’ve had great success in our fundraising to date”, says Brandon Porter, “now to take our project to the next level we’re looking for support from additional donors. We welcome those alumni of Lakehead University Engineering to come and see the car and the progress we’ve made to date”. For more information, or to contribute to this worthwhile project, please visit www.LUFSAE.com or email us at lakeheadu%23ca|lufsae.
