A team of students recently competed at the Formula SAE West competition, held at the California Speedway in Fontana, California. The School of Mines finished in 16th place overall against 82 registered teams, 60 who officially competed. The competition consists of eight separate events including design, cost, manufacturing, sales presentation, skid-pad, acceleration, autocross and endurance. Of these events, the team took third in autocross, third in sales presentation, fourth in design, fifth on the skid-pad, 18th in acceleration and 44th in cost.
Students conceive, design, fabricate and compete with small formula-style racing cars. The restrictions on the car frame and engine are limited so that the knowledge, creativity, and imagination of the students are challenged. The cars are built with a team effort over a period of about one year and are taken to the annual competition for judging and comparison with vehicles from colleges and universities throughout the world.
Formula SAE team members: Aaron Guliuzza, mechanical engineering, Rapid City; Adam Hemmingson, mechanical engineering and metallurgical engineering, Sioux Falls; Kevin Hunt, mechanical engineering, Happy Valley, Oregon; Eric Lee, mechanical engineering, Madison; Dillon Lichtsinn, mechanical engineering, Milbank; James Lunders, mechanical engineering, Rapid City; Arthur Morris, mechanical engineering, Sturgis; Andrew Pautsch, mechanical engineering and computer science, Gaylord, Minnesota; Clayton Pojorlie, mechanical engineering and computer engineering, Grassy Butte, Nebraska; Nolan Pray, mechanical engineering, Sioux Falls; Nathan Salden, mechanical engineering, Waconia, Minnesota; Christopher Saufley, mechanical engineering, Rapid City; Jake Seeger, mechanical engineering, Dent, Minnesota; Wes Snaza, mechanical engineering, Webster; Sam Voegeli, mechanical engineering, Winner; Jason Wendling, mechanical engineering, Bismarck, North Dakota.
