Photo by Jayson Carey, Owner – Eye Level Media www.eyelevelstl.com

Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Formula Car Design Team won first place this past weekend at the Formula North competition in Barrie, Ontario. The event challenged collegiate teams from around the world to design, build and operate Formula One-style racecars.

The competition involved rigorous testing of vehicles’ engineering and capabilities on the race track. During the competition, a skidpad event tested the car’s turning and cornering on a figure-eight-shaped course. An acceleration test measured the car’s speed over a short distance. A one-lap autocross event proved the car’s maneuverability on a tight course and determined the starting order for the final event, an endurance race to prove durability. In the endurance race, the car had to withstand the stress of long-term driving at elevated speeds. Each race was timed to rank the teams; none of the events were head-to-head races.

Missouri S&T won first place overall out of approximately 30 teams, and won the endurance and autocross events. The team will next attend Formula SAE Lincoln June 15-18 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Missouri S&T’s 2016 car features a modified Kawasaki engine that can propel the vehicle to speeds of up to approximately 65 mph. The car underwent several hours of wind tunnel testing to help the team design a custom aerodynamics package. Its custom fittings produce a large amount of downward force and are designed to help the car’s tires grip the track better.

Dr. Hank Pernicka, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Missouri S&T, is the Formula SAE Team’s faculty advisor. For more information about the event, visit formulanorth.com.

The following students represented Missouri S&T at the event:

Mason Auch, a sophomore in engineering management from Rolla, Missouri

Ian Beckler, a junior in aerospace engineering from Peoria, Illinois

Doug Bross, a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Palmyra, Missouri

Dustin Camden, a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Salem, Missouri

Nick Capps, a junior in mechanical engineering from Fenton, Missouri

Ty Crabtree, a freshman in computer science from St. James, Missouri

Xavier Hoffman, a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Troy, Illinois

Chris English, a sophomore in engineering from Florissant, Missouri

Francisco Gallardo, a senior in mechanical engineering from Branson, Missouri

Jarrett Harkless, a sophomore in aerospace engineering from Wentzville, Missouri

Deven Head, a senior in mechanical engineering from Aurora, Missouri

Skylar Knoll, a senior in mechanical engineering from Washburn, Missouri

Lucas Krenitsky, a junior in engineering from Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Luke Lanning, a sophomore in engineering from Parkville, Missouri

Brett Mahan, a sophomore in civil engineering from Hartville, Missouri

Derek Martin, a senior in mechanical engineering from Hermann, Missouri

Jason Martin, a senior in mechanical engineering from Rolla, Missouri

Alex Mills, a senior in petroleum engineering from Springfield, Missouri

Alec Mueller, a senior in mechanical engineering from Union, Missouri

Eric O’Shea, a senior in engineering management from St. Louis

Travis Parrigon, a freshman in mechanical engineering from Pierce City, Missouri

Charlie Phillips, a senior in electrical engineering from St. Charles, Missouri

Hans Pommerenke, a junior in ceramic engineering from Rolla, Missouri

Chance Proctor, a junior in electrical engineering from Mexico, Missouri

Nick Reuther, a senior in mechanical engineering from St. Charles, Missouri

Kyle Robertson, a sophomore in engineering from Edwardsville, Illinois

Paul Somers, a senior in physics from Springfield, Missouri

Seth Spinner, a sophomore in aerospace engineering from Centralia, Illinois

Matthew Strubinger, a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Auburn, Illinois

Emma Thompson, freshman in engineering management from Columbia, Missouri.