KU engineering school's formula car team earns best finish ever

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas Jayhawk Motorsports Team earned its best finish ever -- 17th out of a field of more than 125 entries -- at the Society of Automotive Engineers formula car competition May 14 through 18 in Pontiac, Mich. The placing means the KU team, composed of mechanical engineering students, has finished in the top 25 in four of the past five years.

The contest requires participating students from around the world to design and build from scratch a small formula-style car. The competition brings the student teams together for head-to-head competition and a series of formal presentations related to the development of their vehicles. First place went to the University of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia.

Although the KU team didn't return with the first-place trophy, they left teams from a number of engineering powerhouse schools in their exhaust.

"The students performed well in all events except the skid pad," said Robert "Robb" Sorem, associate dean for undergraduate studies at the KU engineering school and faculty adviser for the team. "They just performed well all across the board." The "skid pad" refers to a portion of the contest that measures the cornering ability of the vehicle on a flat surface. Rain during the day played havoc with a number of competitors.

One of the highlights of the weekend came when the team completed the endurance run -- an event that often causes the newly created cars to break down. Only 34 teams finished the endurance run.

The KU team also excelled during the presentation events at the competition, earning an 11th place ranking in the sales presentation.

The team, which is composed of 18 seniors in mechanical engineering and a few volunteer underclassmen, put thousands of hours and dollars into creating the vehicle.

"In the past, luck played a role in our finishes," Sorem said. "This year it was sheer talent."

Students on the 2003 Jayhawk Motorsports Team and their year in school, parents' names, high school alma mater and role on the team are:

BUTLER COUNTY
From Andover
Bethany Anderson, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Anderson; Rose Hill High School graduate; chassis team.

COFFEY COUNTY
From Burlington
Marcus Stice, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, son of Greg and Pam Stice; Burlington High School graduate; engine team.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Gabriel C. Anderson, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, son of Gregg and Charlotte Anderson; Lawrence High School graduate; drivetrain team leader.
Wing Ching Chan, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, daughter of Chun Fan Chan; suspension team.
Kyung Pyo Kim, graduating senior in mechanical engineering; suspension team.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Lenexa
Joseph Ryan Smith, senior in mechanical engineering, son of Gary and Mary Smith; Olathe East High School graduate; suspension team.

From Shawnee
Scott Chapman, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, son of Ginny Chapman; De Soto High School graduate; team captain.
Sean Cudney, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, son of Laurie Cudney; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School graduate; chassis team.
Matthew Jennerich, graduating senior in mechanical engineering; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School graduate; suspension team.
Patrick Nuss, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, son of Marvin and Hazel Nuss; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School graduate; chassis team.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY
From Leavenworth
Brandon Warner, chassis team, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Warner; Leavenworth High School graduate; chassis team.

RENO COUNTY
From Haven
Benjamin Brown, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, son of Mike and Vicki Brown; Haven High School graduate; chassis team leader.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita
Clinton Carrier, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, son of Clark and Michelle Carrier; Andover High School graduate; suspension team.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Tecumseh
Paul Sedlacek, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, son of Mr. and Mrs. Brad Sedlacek; Hayden High School graduate; engine team leader.

From Topeka
James Cronin, graduating senior in mechanical engineering, son of Joseph Cronin; Hayden High School graduate; suspension team leader.
David Harold, graduating senior in business administration and mechanical engineering, son of John and Linda Harold; Topeka West High School graduate; co-captain and drivetrain team member.

FRANCE
Mathieu Buisson, exchange student in mechanical engineering, son of Guy Buisson; drivetrain team.
Frederic Ravix, exchange student in aerospace engineering, daughter of Paul Ravix; engine team.