News
February Auburn FSAE Team Update
2/15/2012
The 2012 racecar is really taking shape now as the manufacturing stage of the car is coming to an end. The rear steel subframe is almost entirely complete as the team heads off to Huntsville next weekend to complete the carbon fiber monocoque chassis at Griffon Aerospace. Mr. Larry French and everyone at Griffon has been extremely helpful and patient with the team as we continue to use their facilities and advice to mold and cast our car's chassis. The team is looking forward to the day when AUFSAE's first monocoque chassis in the team's 16 year history hits the track for the very first time. We are excited to see how the 2012 car performs with such a crucial part of the car being completely different from anything we have ever designed. Completing the chassis will be no easy task, but the team will put in the hours to accomplish the task and make sure the chassis is the best it can be. After completion of the chassis the team can catch a short breath before the final assembly of the car!
The excitement of seeing the car that you have spent countless hours of work on come to fruition is quite amazing. Being a first year team member (or newbie as the team calls it) I have somewhat of an outside perspective of AUFSAE. Only now am I beginning to understand the significance of this incredible project, and what valuable experience it gives us as students. It takes a full semester being in and around the shop to begin to fathom the significance of our work. This team of undergraduate students build, in their free time, a highly advanced racing machine capable of absurd g-loads, that represents Auburn University on an international stage in the biggest and most diverse racing series in the world. Ultimately our goal is to show the world what we're capable of; that our car's design is the best looking, most practical, most economical, and the fastest. We're building a Formula 1 car on a smaller scale, and a limited budget. I'm now beginning to understand that Formula SAE is the path to something much greater in life. It's the path to a successful career and a dream job for our team members who are motorsports enthusiasts.
This time of year is the most demanding on the team, with many members working late into the nights and on weekends to get the car built. It takes sacrifice, dedication and teamwork to do what we do.
I'd like to thank everyone who helps make this possible. Your money, time, and support are going towards a worthwhile endeavor to advance the human condition. This is education for the next generation, for efficiency and performance in life. Without question, we here at Auburn Formula SAE firmly believe that the Formula SAE project is one of the best forms of education that Auburn provides for its students. Everyone here loves being a part of the AUFSAE organization. Our project that we feel so passionate about would not be possible without your help and support!
The team would like to welcome Brembo Brakes back to the AUFSAE family. Brembo has been a sponsor of the team in the past, and we'd like to welcome them back to the team for 2012 and beyond! ABF Freight Systems has also recently become a sponsor of the AUFSAE Team! The team would like to welcome ABF as a part of the team as the official freight line of the Auburn Formula SAE Racing Team.
As always stay tuned in to www.auracing.org for continued updates and be sure to 'Like' AUFSAE on Facebook! Also make sure to stay tuned in to the Facebook page to see the latest pictures and videos on the team's progress!
War Eagle!
Andrew Rains
What's so Special About Auburn?
1/20/2012
What's so special about Auburn?
Frankly, it's a tough question to answer, there's simply so much uniqueness in this small space on planet earth called Auburn, Alabama. People young and old, black and white are here for many different reasons, but you'll find a common connection between all individuals in Auburn. It's a certain spirit that's in the air, it can't be explained. Whether you're a student, professor, or a faculty member at Auburn University you are a member of a family, an eternal family. I know this sounds weird, cheesy, or whatever adjective you choose to use, but it's the simple truth.
Where does Auburn Formula SAE fit into this?
AUFSAE is a unique organization to say the least, and part of the Auburn family. As far as on-campus organizations go AUFSAE is the only one of its kind. There are other student competition teams, but none show the consistency and love for what they do as AUFSAE does. I am asked quite often why I dedicate so much time to AUFSAE, and why is it worth it? The answer: I love it. Period. The End. It doesn't have to be "worth it," at the end of the day I'm proud of the fact that I am involved with such a great organization in such a great place. Just like the Auburn University Family, AUFSAE in itself is a family, a family with a love affair for motorsports and competition. It requires dedication, more dedication than ever thought possible for something that doesn't pay you. Because of this a certain bond is formed. Team members must work together to build a fully functioning race car in 8 months with extremely limited resources; while taking 12-18 hours of classes a week, and oh yeah, you have to study too. The amount of sacrifice and dedication that team members experience together is what creates this bond, this family.Sponsoring AUFSAE is more than a business partnership.
As previously stated AUFSAE is a sub-set of the Auburn Family. We're a family driven on goals of innovation, speed, and success. We're a family that works hard to accomplish a daunting task, and we welcome the challenge. Accomplishing our goals isn't possible without our sponsors. Our sponsors aren't just our partners, they are our family and we cannot thank them enough. This rewarding, worthwhile and educational project is made possible through the individuals and companies that support, sponsor, and promote our team. AUFSAE is a well-known team of highly intelligent Auburn University Students who for years have consistently upheld the values of Auburn University on an international level. We are the class of the field, the cream of the crop, and as long as AUFSAE is in existence we'll be the best.Prepare yourself for a monumental 2012 season. Here we come world.
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama Becomes Gold Sponsor for 2012
1/7/2012
As of Wednesday December 14, 2011 Honda Manufacturing has become Auburn University Formula SAE Racing Team's 5th Gold Level Sponsor for 2012. Auburn Formula and HMA have a rich history together as HMA has been a consistent supporter of the team's racing efforts year after year. Everyone on the team would like to thank everyone from HMA, especially Blanche Pearson and Stephanie Alexander, for supporting the team for the 2012 racing season and beyond. HMA's donation will help the team cover costs of suspension components, and of machining parts. Without support from HMA over the years AUFSAE would not be able to compete at the level it does today.
Thank you to HMA for your steadfast support of Auburn University Formula SAE Racing!
Davis Machine Works Becomes Platinum Sponsor
1/5/2012
Without Davis Machine Works contribution to the Auburn Formula SAE team our car literally wouldn't stop. For the second year in a row Davis Machine Works, in Opelika, AL, has machined the team's brake rotors. Because of the time-restraints placed on the team to finish the car not all of the parts for the car can be machined in house at Auburn University. DMW has helped the team by machining brake rotors, designed by Engineer Ben Williams, for the car during the 2011 season, and now in the 2012 season. The team would like to thank everyone at DMW, especially Tom Rickles and Rob Beddingfield, for their support of the AUFSAE Racing Team in the 2012 racing season and beyond. DMW does great work and the quality of their machining can be proven by the beautifully machined and high performance brake rotors built for the team's 2012 race car, These are unique brake rotors that will be lighter weight, and ventilate better than the 2011 car's brake rotors. The team looks forward to testing the new rotors!
Go to www.davismachineworks.com to find out what Davis Machine Works can do for you! Thanks again to everyone at DMW! War Eagle!
November 2011 Auburn FSAE Team Update
11/30/2011
As of November 28, 2011 the team has officially moved into our new facility in the Shelby Center of Engineering Technology in Wiggins Hall. The new shop will allow more convenience for the team as well as better facilities and accommodations that will allow the team to compete at an even higher level. This could not have been done without the support from The Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. If you would like a tour of the new shop contact me, Andrew Rains, or Team Captain Michael Nunnelly.
The team has made steady progress on the manufacturing phase of the 2012 racecar. So far the team has machined wheel hubs, suspension uprights, a fuel rail, and steering column end plugs. With the move to the new shop the manufacturing phase has been put on hold as moving shops requires a significant amount of manpower. Manufacturing will resume after the move into the new shop is complete. Manufacturing of the carbon fiber monocoque will begin in December, and the team is very excited to build the first monocoque chassis in Auburn FSAE team history. The monocoque will significantly reduce the overall weight of the car as well as increase the rigidity of the chassis. Enjoy the new website, and happy holidays!
October 2011 Auburn FSAE Team Update
10/21/2011
The team has met an early Design Freeze of October 1, 2011. This means that the 2012 race car is totally designed from the ground up, now it's time to move on to the manufacturing stage. More experienced team members are currently training new members on machining, welding, and designing, so that the team is well prepared for the future. Also, having new members able to machine parts helps to expedite the manufacturing phase greatly.
The team is moving shops to the new Shelby Center for Engineering Technology; the move should take place by the end of the year. Moving to a new shop will allow the team to have a more convenient space to design and work on the car.
The team recently attended a promotional BBQ at APR, an aftermarket performance development shop and race team located ten minutes from Auburn's campus that sells VW, Audi, and Porsche performance parts all over the world. The team participated in fun events and allowed customers of APR to get up close and personal with the 2011 race car. In addition to all that has been stated so far, the team has been testing newly manufactured parts on the 2011 race car to get an idea of how they will perform on the 2012 chassis.
Thanks to everyone for your support of the Auburn University Formula SAE Team, without your help we could not be as successful as we have been!
The Michigan Miracle
5/15/2011
The Auburn University Formula SAE Racing Team finished the FSAE Michigan weekend with a 16th overall finish out of 120 international schools, a much improved finish from one year ago where the team was only able to accomplish a 61st place finish at the same event. More impressive than the team's very successful finish is the story behind the events that took place on Saturday May 14th before the team's 22 km endurance race. These events, spanning 4 hours leading up to the team's 1:45 pm EST start, define what Auburn men and women strive to become.
As the team departed the lake house and headed for the track, the last day of FSAE Michigan was proving to be a challenge, as rain was expected throughout the day. To better help drivers Adam Clay and Michael Gay with traction on the slippery surface, the driver's suited up and the team headed to the practice area to scrub in a set of brand new Michelin rain tires. After the first 5 minute practice stint, things were going well. Car set up was good and the rain tires were beginning to reach optimum traction levels for driving in the wet. As the car rolled to the start line to begin a second practice session, disaster struck. As Michael Gay prepared to launch the car, the car's differential system literally exploded, ripping the differential housing in two and violently shooting its internals out of the car. At 10:00 that morning, just 3 hours and 45 minutes before the start of the race, it seemed that our team's season had come to an abrupt end. Instead of being overcome with an overwhelming sense of panic, the team began pushing the car back to the paddock with a plan in mind.
The team began pushing the car back to the paddock with a plan to get the differential fixed and in line for the endurance race at the scheduled time. Once the car reached the team's paddock, work began immediately. Before the driver could even exit the vehicle, the car was up on stands and the situation was assessed. Just 10 minutes later, the entire differential and drive shafts were out of the car and being repaired. Just 30 minutes after that, the problem was diagnosed and Michael Nunnelly began warming up the welder in an effort to fix what seemed to be a fatally wounded race car.
Despite the severity of the situation, the team worked together perfectly in order to repair the completely destroyed differential system. In an ordinary situation, the team would have packed the car and headed back to the shop to machine a new differential housing and internals. But in this situation, the team didn't have a few days or weeks, but only three hours to fix the damaged differential. With literally no other option, the decision was made by our drive train specialist Chris Nau, chief chassis engineer Nick Durant, chassis engineer Austin Gurley, and frame specialist Michael Nunnelly to weld the housing and differential internals together, creating a spool, single axle drive train system. The solution expected to produce a very difficult, almost undriveable machine with increased levels of over steer, under steer, and wheel hop. In addition to the difficulty of the drive, no one was certain what exactly would happen when the car rolled off the line to begin the endurance race. Things could go miraculously well or horribly wrong.
Just under 4 hours after the devastating explosion, the team made to the endurance line, fueled up and ready to run. The moment of truth had arrived as the car and the team's first driver Michael Gay rolled off the line to begin the race. In an order to preserve the recently fixed machine, lap times started off slow and quickly began falling. By lap three, the #81 Auburn car began passing cars and clipping more seconds off lap times. By the end of the first stint, the team's first driver Michael Gay had passed every car on track and set an ideal pace. After successfully executing the driver change and passing a quick technical inspection, Adam Clay took to the track for the second stint of the grueling 22 km race. Adam was able to run the exact same pace set by Michael, passing cars on track after just a few laps.
After what seemed to be the longest 28 laps in the history of motorsports, the miracle that every team member of the AUFSAE team deserved had come true as Adam Clay crossed the finish line for the final time, completing the race. Now, Auburn University can add The Michigan Miracle to its long history of greatest moments in sports. After what seemed to be the team's worst disaster of the season, the team persevered in what may be considered Auburn's finest hour in the history of its Formula SAE existence. The 20 young men and women that make up the Auburn University Formula SAE Racing Team exhibited characteristics of what Auburn men and women should have, as defined by the Auburn Creed. The events of Saturday May 14th prove that the AUFSAE team believes in hard work, as each team member refused to back down from what seemed to be an impossible challenge. Our team believes in education; an education that allowed our team to successfully think on their feet in a time of stress and panic as well as trusting their minds and hands to work not just quickly but skillfully. Our team believes in a sound mind and body; characteristics that were vital to the team success over a grueling 4 day competition testing not just the performance of our car and drivers but the knowledge of our team members as well. Our team believes in our country; with FSAE Michigan being the largest international FSAE sanctioned event in the U.S., our school, state, and national pride is on the line. Because Auburn men and women believe in these things, as a TEAM, we believe in Auburn and love it.
On behalf of the Auburn University Formula SAE Racing Team, I'd like to thank all of our sponsors and team supporters who helped make our racing season a success. We were proud to represent you on our 2011 machine last month and we hope you enjoyed being a part of such an amazing experience. Thanks again for your help and support and we hope to continue a partnership with you next season. Thanks again and WAR EAGLE!
Sincerely,
Michael Gay