OU's own SAE car on display at International Auto Show

By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant

OU's SAE formula style race car will be on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, until Sunday, Jan. 23.

Along with showcasing cars from the world’s leading automakers, this year’s North American International Auto Show is spotlighting a vehicle produced right here at Oakland University. The OU Society of Automotive Engineers' (SAE) 2010 award-winning formula style race car is currently on display at the Cobo Center, in downtown Detroit.

“We got word only two days before Christmas break, so it was a mad dash to get it down there,” said Stephen Parker, former OU SAE president.

OU SAE representatives are manning the exhibit located just inside the building’s main entrance, where show-goers can admire the car and learn about the university in general. OU Admissions staff will also be on hand to answer questions and provide information about university programs and services. The show also features formula style vehicles created by students from Michigan State University and Lawrence Technological University.

The car will be displayed until the show wraps up on Sunday, Jan. 23, Parker added.

Designed and constructed over several months, the car was the centerpiece of one of the most successful seasons in OU SAE history, placing 36th in a field of 102 teams from 12 countries at the 2010 Formula SAE Competition held at the Michigan International Speedway this spring.

The team of 27 members—the largest in school history—produced a vehicle that surpassed all competitors in acceleration and skidpad capabilities, Parker said. The car has also garnered awards, including the Detroit Sports Car Club of America’s Formula SAE class title and was named “Best Looking” at a competition in Toronto.

Oakland’s SAE team participates in many other events, including the Woodward Dream Cruise, Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, Rockin’ Rods in Rochester and the SAE World Congress at Cobo Hall.

“The university really cares about us and respects what we do,” said Evan Fischer, OU SAE marketing manager. “The auto show is definitely one of our biggest events and we will try our best to represent OU well.”

Additionally, the team recently secured funding from the School of Engineering and Computer Science to finance a cross country trip this summer. The team will travel to the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, where it will compete against SAE chapters from schools, such as the University of California Los Angeles, University of Southern California and California Polytechnic State University.

“We are super excited to compete there and add to the publicity that OU is getting,” Parker said.

For more information about OU SAE, contact Fischer at erfische@oakland.edu or visit the website at grizzliesracing.com.