STORRS, Connecticut — A team of UConn students is emerging from the auto garage and putting the finishing touches on their race car called the "CT-13". There are more than 40 students who are part of the UConn Formula SAE team (Society of Engineers) that create a new miniature Formula One style car each year.
“It takes a lot of passion and a lot of dedication, it also takes a lot of teamwork,” said Engineering student Cal Pitruzzello, a senior who is one of the team’s lead drivers and president of the UConn Formula SAE Team.
Pitruzzello also said that this year’s car, which can reach 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds, took about 14 months to design and build.
Natalie Connors is a UConn senior who serves as system leader for the aerodynamics team on the 450-pound car.
“Seventy miles is its top speed in competition, so it can really get up there,” Connors said.
UConn F1 car engineering team
The UConn Formula SAE Team will head to the Michigan International Speedway for the college competition next month, where they placed 5th overall last year. The competition brings in teams from all over the world.
“It doesn’t get old to see their excitement when they go to competitions and they do well," said Tom Mealy, an adjunct professor of mechanical engineering and UConn Formula SAE adviser. "This is just a great thing to be a part of.”
The team plans to leave for the competition in Michigan on May 16 and will spend a week there. To learn more about the UConn Formula SAE Team click here or follow their Instagram account @UConnformulasae
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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