UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2011
PAGE17
CLUBS
Jayhawk Motorsports place in two competitions
BY WESTON PLETCHER
wpletcher@kansan.com
The Jayhawk Motorsports club looks ahead after capturing consecutive ninth-place finishes in two national events, the Formula Hybrid and the Formula SAE Michigan competitions.
Robert Sorem, the team adviser, was ecstatic with his team's performance and finish in the Hybrid competition. This is the first time the University of Kansas has designed and built a car for the Formula Hybrid competition, which was held from May 1-4 in Loudon, N.H.
"For it being our first time running in the Hybrid competition and not knowing what competition would be like, it was very exciting. We learned a lot and had we
known what we know now after the competition, we would have changed a couple things;" Sorem said.
Ultimately, the team would have liked to finish in first place, but a top 10 finish is something the school of engineering can use to its advantage.
Rimel was the team's leader, overseeing 20 seniors and 25 volunteers.
"Taking the step forward to compete in both the SAE and Hybrid competitions this year was a very big step for the Jayhawk Motorsports organization. It took a large commitment and immense effort from a number of dedicated students," said Abby Rimel, a 2011 graduate. "Placing in the top 10 internationally at both competitions was very exciting."
In the Formula SAE Michigan competition, which was held May 11-14 in Brooklyn, Mich., the Jayhawk team finished ninth out of 121 registered teams and fifth among qualifiers from the U.S.
The competitions were broken up into static and dynamic events, and the scores from each event determine the final standings.
In the SAE competition, the University received first place in the autocross division, which is a 60-second race around obstacles
with speeds reaching 70 mph. Their time was 15 seconds faster than the best time from last year's competition. The team also finished fourth in presentation and eighth in endurance.
"It is a great reflection of the University and the KU School of Engineering," Rimel said. "This level of performance will keep the bar high for future years of Jayhawk Motorsports teams."
"At competitions, a lot of things have to go very right to do well. It is a mixture of preparation, a competitive vehicle, good drivers, a cohesive team and a little luck for competition to go well."
Finishing in the top 10 wasn't a shock for Rimel. The team had high expectations for the event.
"We were confident that the team would build competitive vehicles for competition," Rimel said. "At competitions, a lot of things have to go very right to do well. It is a mixture of preparation, a competitive vehicle, good drivers, a cohesive team and a little luck
for competition to go well."
ABBY RIMEL 2011 graduate
The Jayhawk team now has its sights set on the Formula SAE California competition held in Fontana from June 15-18.
"Testing is back in full swing during the coming weeks to
tweak and prepare the SAE vehicle for the competition," Rimel said. "We are very much looking forward for a chance to take the top spot in California."
Sorem said the competition will be stiff in California, as all of the tops schools will be at the competition on June 15.
"We know the best schools will be there, both internationally and from the United States. Most of the teams from the U.S. are undergraduate level, whereas the international teams are mostly graduate students," Sorem said.
For Rimel, as a graduate, the competitions exercise a number of skills needed for her fast-approaching career.
"The project has taught our team so much about teamwork, deadlines,the design process, manufacturing and enduring a high stress environment with very high expectations in place. This project has been an incredible experience and an absolute honor to be a part of," she said.
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