University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 32, May 22

            Race car team returns with valuable experience
                                   
     Ateam of UD students in Pontiac, Mich., last week for
the annual Formula SAE 97 race car competition didn't bring
home any trophies, but they did nab a spot on CNN and
learned some valuable lessons for next year's event.
     UD project team leader Suhas Malghan was interviewed
May 16 on CNN during a news feature about the annual
competition.
     The UD chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers
started building UD's car during spring break of 1996.
According to Malghan, "Our concept was quite ambitious for a
first-year car. We decided to construct a composite
structure because it would result in a very light, strong,
rigid and safe structure."
     He explained that the shell and covering used in the UD
auto employed techniques used in aircraft construction, and
the team received assistance from staff at Hardcore-DuPont
and the Center for Composite Materials.
     According to Malghan, the UD entry was the third
lightest vehicle at 470 pounds and, he added, the team
believes it can do better in the future, since there were a
number of places where additional weight could be cut.
     "Many people were impressed by our efforts as a first
year team," Malghan said. "In fact, actually making
competition the year you plan to go is an achievement
itself, and by some stroke of luck we managed to get on
CNN."
     Unfortunately, the UD vehicle experienced mechanical
problems and was unable to compete in several of the events.
Malghan said he was impressed with the assistance offered by
other teams and the determination and positive attitude
demonstrated throughout by the UD team members.
     "Instead of dwelling on the current dismal situation we
kept looking forward," he said.
     "Though we weren't happy with our performance, and
things certainly didn't go the way we planned, we're only
more determined to apply everything we've learned to make
next year's car a winner. I did Formula SAE before I
transferred here from the University of Texas at Austin, and
I can tell you that teams that work this well together are
few and far between. All the seniors regret that they can't
do this next year."
     Team member Scott Suhmann said the group is seeking
additional members for next year's effort. Individuals with
a variety of talents and from different majors are needed.
     He said business majors could be involved on cost
reports and time charts; electrical engineers are needed to
work on the electrical systems that run the engine and other
components; public relations majors can provide assistance
with publicity; computer science majors could promote the
project on the web; and other engineers are needed to do
research and work of the car itself.
     The student car was spray painted by Ed Dennie,
Facilities Management Structural Shop, with paint donated by
that unit. The entire exterior of the car was designed by
Keith Heckert, media services, Information Technologies.
     Anyone interested in more information about the project
or becoming involved, should contact Suhmann at 837-6316 or
by e-mail at ssuhmann@udel.edu.
     Malghan can be contacted at 266-0598.
                                               -Ed Okonowicz