Concordia attends Formula SAE Michigan
Concordia's own Engineer (and reporter) in Residence, Dominic Ng, recently filed the following report from the frontlines of Formula SAE Michigan.
The Concordia chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has long been an active and vibrant part of ENCS. The group recently attended the largest annual student competition in automotive engineering in North America, Formula SAE Michigan.
Team Photo - [back row] Alberto Diaz, Andris Kannis, Alex , Mike Rembacz, Jamie Dennick, Garrett Morgan, Claudio Mucciacciaro, Michael Bianco, Andrew Stewart, Matt Frazao, Steve Brathwaite, Kayan Lau. [front row] Chris Renaud, Bianca Cormier, Hubert Berezowski, Lauren Bould, Jimmy Stabio, Dominic Ng
Teams from Austria, Germany, Japan, India, Malaysia, Brazil and Venezuela attended this year's gathering of the world's top talents in engineering for the chance to push the limits of their undergraduate engineering experience. Top American colleges such as Cornell, Duke, Columbia and Brown participated. Alongside Concordia, the rest of Canada's best (including Queen's, Waterloo, Toronto, and McGill) were also present. Panels of judges included experts, engineers and executives from automotive giants such as GM, Ford and Toyota.
The prerequisites for the competition are rigorous and scoring is broken down into both static and dynamic events. With a battery of challenges spread over 2 days such as acceleration, skidpad, autocross and endurance, less than 35% of teams survive all events and complete the endurance event. 5% fail to survive the rigorous 4 part, 50+ point technical inspections (known simply as "Tech") required to participate in the dynamic events.
Endurance event - driven by Andrew Stewart
This year, Concordia made it through Tech in its first effort and far ahead of its competitors. It managed to be one of the first cars to start its engine in the paddock. Acceleration, skidpad and autocross were completed with relative ease. But on Saturday morning at 11:00 am, after 14 laps - exactly one half of the endurance event - there was a disappointing setback.
During the 3 minute driver change, the vehicle failed to restart. The team did its best to troubleshoot, but at this stage, no additional tools are permitted and only 3 people including the driver are allowed on the track. With sadness, the team was forced to return to the paddock.
The car would restart with relative ease within 20 minutes. According to Mike Rembacz, team leader, "at this level, every action is critical." Further investigation revealed that with a slight change in shut down and startup sequence the vehicle should have started without difficulty. Another important lesson in this Everest of events and another key experience gained.
Saddened but wiser, the team regrouped to consider their failures and accomplishments thus far. With great maturity and determination they have already begun planning improvements and refinements necessary to perform at their next event, Formula SAE Callifornia, in Fontana California.
Acceleration Event - driven by Jimmy Stabio
"We're more than happy with our accomplishments thus far and with everything we've learnt we are eager to further our successes this June in California" says Jimmy Stabio.
With only 3 short weeks to prepare, it will be both a pleasure and honor to participate once more as part of such a disciplined, determined and driven effort. So stay tuned, race fans, for the report from California where we look forward to what might be Concordia's greatest performance ever!