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CAR CLUBS >> GATOR MOTORSPORTS
which various parts will be able to interact. This allows them to forecast and fix issues before even cutting a single piece of metal — a huge money saver. “We can mess up as many times as we want on the computer and it’s not going to hurt us, except for time,” Thomas said. The team uses powerful software such as STARCCM and SolidWorks to design cars — the same programs used by GE, Space X and NASA. There’s no such thing as the perfect car, compromises must be made, and the students have to learn to work together. As Thomas put it, the best type of compromises wins. Even with careful design and preparation, parts could break at any time, and mistakes are inevitable. From spring break until the competition in May, the team repeats the cycle of driving and testing their car. Every year, Bosch invites the team to its facility in Flat Rock to test their car side by side with some of the best international teams. At the Bosch Proving Grounds, UF students are able to talk to professional engineers and work out last minute issues with the car. The actual Formula SAE competition takes place at the Michigan International Speedway and lasts for three days. Dynamic events involve driving the car. There’s the Acceleration event, essentially a drag race that tests acceleration across 75 meters; Autocross, which evaluates the handling and maneuverability of the car; and Skid-pad, which tests cars as they zoom around a figure-8 pattern. The most daunting of them all is the Endurance category, a 22-kilometer course that tests the 30 |
OUR TOWN MAGAZINE
MARCH/APRIL 2015
The Gatormotor Sports Team in front of the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (L – R): Todd Jarolimek, Kyle Vu, RJ Baez, Carlos Suhr, Reagan Fuhr, Ali Ezzi, Zachary Allen, Kristen Brooker, Chris Miller, Loren Hendrickson, Ron Brame, Akira Sewnath, Caymen Barlow, GabrielËCountinho, Anna Pincus, Nick Bell, Bryce Hann, Nikos Chouvalis, Jonathan Elias, Ulises Bautista, David Kanner, TJ Parkaras, Ben Boulch, Claire Leblanc, Jenn Luong, Matt Banks, Silas Wright, Noel Thomas, Andrew Cheung, Dylan Edminston.
PHOTOGRAPHY: JENNIFER LUONG, GABRIELLE CALISE