A team of Michigan State University students will roar into the North American International Auto Show Jan. 19-27, exhibiting no less than three innovative race cars they have designed and built from years past.
It will be the sixth year in a row the MSU Formula Racing Team will be displaying their work, alongside five other Formula SAE teams from other universities.
The exhibit showcases the work of students who design, manufacture, race and market a small, open-wheel race car for the Formula SAE collegiate competitions organized by SAE International (formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers).
“Every year, we are so thankful to be involved with the auto show,” said Evan Flynn, an MSU mechanical engineering student who heads up the operations team. “Being able to attend is great for our team, great for the university and also great for the show.”
The Formula Racing Team is made up of about 25 primarily undergraduate students from across the university. Throughout the year they engage in a “design, build, race” project cycle that includes designing a vehicle, procuring and fabricating parts, building a prototype and engaging in extensive vehicle testing.
The students’ vehicle participates in a number of competitions throughout the year at sites such as the Michigan International Speedway and the Goodyear Proving Grounds in Akron, Ohio. The competition covers design; the development of a business plan; and several driving tests that rate the performance of the vehicle.
For more information on the Formula Racing Team, including a list of sponsors, please visit www.msuformularacing.com.
For information on the auto show, visit www.naias.com/.