Photo: Courtesy of UMASS Lowell
LOWELL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — UMASS Lowell's River Hawk Racing team is putting its newest vehicle to the test this week.
The university's racing club is competing in a Formula SAE challenge at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. The four-day event is the culmination of a year-long challenge to design, fund, and build a formula-style, open-wheel vehicle.
River Hawk Racing describes the process as one "that teaches students all aspects of the automotive industry, from research, manufacturing and testing to marketing, management and finances." While the program is geared towards mechanical engineering students, anyone can join regardless of major.
"It’s a valuable experience you can put on your résumé, and it proves you’re taking what you learned in the classroom and applying it to a project outside the classroom," club president and chief engineer Garrett Perry said.
1 of 3 Photo: Courtesy of UMass Lowell
2 of 3 Photo: Courtesy of UMass Lowell
3 of 3 Photo: Courtesy of UMass Lowell
This year, the team raised more than $40,000, with funding coming from sponsors such as the Gene Haas Foundation, Parker Hannifin, Autodesk, SolidWorks and CADSPARC. Funding also comes from university support, crowdfunding, and car shows on campus which raise more than $1,000 per semester.
"It’s a good opportunity to interact with people outside my major," said junior marketing student Joe Dunn. "It’s like working at a company where you communicate and collaborate with people in different fields and with different skill sets. The experience will be useful when I have a job in the real world."
This is the first time River Hawk Racing has competed at Michigan International Speedway since 2018.
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