UTSA Student Chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers Unveils "Formula Car"

(Aug. 28, 2001)—The University of Texas at San Antonio Student Chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) will unveil their "Formula SAE Car" at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 28 in the University Room of the Business Building at the 1604 Campus.

The car, designed and constructed by 20 students, looks and functions like a formula-type race car and has an estimated value of $35,000. The students will test their creation in May against cars from more than 100 universities from all over the world at a competition in Detroit, hosted by Ford, GM and Chrysler.

The 600-lb. car, which took over two years to design and build, is powered by a 600cc-motorcycle engine and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds.
Funding for the car came from local donations by individuals, corporations and other educational institutions. Students do not receive college credit for their work on this project, but the experience helps them to become better prepared for the engineering workplace after they graduate.

"This gives engineering students hands-on experience that they would never get to apply until they enter the workplace," said David Money, chairman of the UTSA student SAE Chapter.