The team has just returned from Pontiac, Mich., where they put their SAE Formula race car through its paces in an annual contest that attracts university teams from around the world. Sponsored by some of the biggest names in the automotive industry, the event tests cars for their endurance, maneuverability and design. The car held up and we were competitive in all of the events. We designed and built it from the ground up. In fact, the car was the talk of the competition because of the design of several of the components.
Judges like to see innovation, and that's what made our car stand out from the others.
Many of the top teams and some of the sponsors were very interested in what we were able to come up with. Among the components that drew rave reviews were the car's front suspension and its shaft drive system. Most other cars are chain driven. Students also designed and built the computer-controlled fuel injection system. A Honda 600cc four-cylinder engine powers the SIUC car.