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ENGINEERING STUDENTS SHOW OFF RACE CAR AT AUTOMOBILE MUSEUM
October 12, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Media Contact: Alan Edstrom (518) 587-1935 x22
A racing car that two years ago served as a high-speed term project for a group of engineering students at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Tuesday, October 17th joins the Saratoga Automobile MuseumÌs ÏSprockets to RocketsÓ educational center for primary-school students. Built by the RPI chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers for the 2004 edition of the SAEÌs annual international competition, in its new setting the car will contribute to the education of a future generation of students.
ÏThe children who participate in the MuseumÌs primary education program probably wonÌt ever drive a racing car like this one,Ó said Steve Potter, the MuseumÌs executive director, Ïand they wonÌt all grow up to be engineers. But the Formula SAE exhibit will reinforce the idea that learning can be fun and that what they learn in school has real-life application.Ó
As one part of RPIÌs involvement with the Museum, SAE chapter members will personally participate in the ÏSprockets to RocketsÓ program, sharing their experiences with student visitors.
ÏThousands of elementary and high school students here will see an example of how a love for cars and science can be applied in the real world,Ó Alan Edstrom, the MuseumÌs Director of Programs and Events, said. ÏThe inspiration factor is amazing Ò being able to design, build, and drive a race car Ò how cool is that?Ó
At the October 17th breakfast, attended by RPI officials, SAE chapter members, SAM trustees, members and staff, and the press, the RPI student groupÌs high-speed term project will temporarily join the ranks of the MuseumÌs luminary road-racing cars. That group includes ÏPoison LilÓ, a 1935 Maserati grand prix car, the Erwin Goldschmidt Allard J2X and the J2 Allard that carried the legendary John Fitch to victory in the 1951 Argentine Grand Prix.
Formula SAE
The Formula SAE program is one of the premier nationally-recognized student-led projects and the largest engineering competition in the world. Colleges from around the world form teams that work together to conceive, design, and fabricate a high-performance formula-style (single-seat, open-wheel) race car. The Formula SAE project provides an extensive real-world hands-on experience in design, engineering, and management that is not possible to achieve in a classroom setting.
The competition involves teams from approximately 140 colleges from North America and overseas and is held in Detroit every year in May. The teams attempt to sell to a potential manufacturer the concept of a car to be used by the weekend autocross driver. This ÏmanufacturerÓ is anticipating constructing four cars per day for a limited production run, and the car that each team builds and brings to the competition is the prototype which they hope will win the contract.
Involving both static and dynamic events, the spectrum of tests includes:
Ô Design, cost, and sales presentation.
Ô Road tests that consist of 100-meter acceleration and a Ïskid padÓ figure-8 course intended to demonstrate the chassis, suspension, and steering,
Ô Autocross event on a parking lot road-racing circuit that determines the starting order for the endurance event.
Ô A 22-kilometer endurance event on a closed track.
Although a major part of the project is about building a better racer, the team is also learning about the financial end of the business, and acquires sponsorships from local companies to cover the $70,000+ cost of the annual project.
SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers)
The Society of Automotive Engineers has more than 90,000 members - engineers, business executives, educators, and students - from more than 97 countries. Members share information and exchange ideas for advancing the engineering of mobility systems. SAE is an authoritative resource for standards development, events, and technical information and expertise used in designing, building, maintaining, and operating self-propelled vehicles for use on land or sea, in air or space.
For more information about the Society of Automotive Engineers visit their website at www.sae.org.
Information on the RPI Formula Racing program past and present, visit them at www.formularpi.com or contact the RPI SAE Team directly via email at fsae-l@rpi.edu
The Saratoga Automobile Museum: A Vehicle for Teaching Youth
In the four short years since the Saratoga Automobile Museum opened its doors in June of 2002, many thousands of students have toured the exhibit floors. Thousands more have been the beneficiaries of the MuseumÌs specific educational programs which emphasize the joy of learning in science, math, history and design. These learning experiences are keyed to the state-wide curricula mandated by the New York State Board of Regents, which also provides the charter under which the Museum operates.
Financial support from the local community and beyond has enabled the Saratoga Automobile Museum to expand its educational programs for the entire Capital Region.
Students benefit from personal hands-on involvement in programs that range from exploring the latest in alternative energy vehicles at the annual Tour de Sol rally for alternate-fuel and other environmentally advanced cars to Girl Scout events where docents demonstrate the applications of physics in motor-vehicle function. Other programs include Cub Scout workshops and automotive refurbishing for high-school students enrolled in BOCES classes.
A specific aspect of the MuseumÌs partnership with RPI features engineering students mentoring scouts and students in academic programs.
The mission of the Saratoga Automobile Museum is to display significant cars, trucks, and vehicles that not only represent the automotive heritage of New York State but the entire world of motorized transportation. The Museum is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York Department of Education and in addition to organizing permanent and temporary exhibits, the Museum hosts a variety of workshops, interactive displays, lectures, and outdoor shows.
The Saratoga Automobile Museum is located on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park at 110 Avenue of the Pines. For more information, guests can also visit the MuseumÌs website at www.saratogaautomuseum.org or call (518) 587-1935.
ABOUT THE 2004 RPI FORMULA SAE RACER
ÔEngine: Honda 37ci/599cc, Double Overhead Cam Shaft, Aluminum engine block and cylinderhead, Fully programmable electronic fuel injection
ÔHorsepower: 63.04 @ 11000 RPM
ÔTorque: 40.01 @ 7800 RPM
ÔWeight: 472 lbs.
ÔAcceleration: 0-60mph: 4.1 seconds, 1/4 mile: 11.5 seconds
ÔCornering Force: 1.5 g
ÔCenter of Gravity: 10" above ground
ÔWheelbase: 76"
ÔTrack Width: 48"
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