Formula SAE And Lincoln Electric
This is where college kids go racing. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) has for years sanctioned the Formula SAE Competition, which has been called the Olympics of amateur formula car building. This year, over 4,000 engineering students from 130 colleges from around the world competed in Pontiac, Michigan.
The rules determine the boundaries for the cars, but it is up to each school to design, fabricate, and then compete with its own vehicle. The rules dictate the students build an open-wheeled, single-seat Formula-style car using four-cycle engines up to 610 cc that can be turbo- or supercharged for additional power.
Over the course of three days, the cars are judged in a static inspection for engineering design, solo performance trials, and a high-performance track endurance event. Design, cost, acceleration, skidpad performance, durability, and fuel mileage are factored to determine a winner.
Lincoln Electric has been involved with the Formula SAE for several years offering both welding assistance and the use of Lincoln equipment. Lincoln also donates welding systems to schools based on perceived need, with two schools from Canada benefiting this year.
For an unprecedented eighth time, Cornell University took top honors followed by Texas A&M in second and Auburn University in third.
The New XXX GTO Sneak Peek
Vin Diesel, where are you? The new XXX will debut next year with a new star for the XXX Part 2. For most car guys, that fact won't generate a single tear. If there was a particularly important component to the original movie for Car Craft readers, it was the cool '67 GTO driven by Diesel. The good news is that the '67 GTO will return to the new movie, but don't look for purely original sheetmetal. These cars have been altered significantly.
As the photos show, Picture Car Warehouse kingpin Ted Moser has built some unique new GTO cladding and stuffed in a new engine, courtesy of the folks a Recon Engines. With front disc brakes and a host of custom body changes, the new GTOs look more like lead sleds than original musclecars. Extended fender skirting, chopped tops (they cut several cars but other cars use fiberglass roof panels), and "dubs" give a totally unique look to the cars. The color-shift paint makes for dramatic color changes in the vehicle look from scene to scene.
In addition to the GTOs, XXX Part 2 will have a number of custom Ford F-150s in this edition, also customized by Moser's tech crew. With high-lift springs, big tires and wheels, and a cool custom hood scoop, these pickups will be center stage for the new movie. Now if they just used the 6.2L Powerstroke in the Ford, they could promote the return of a different "diesel" in the new movie.
Karting At Moroso Motorsports Park
If you've never strapped on a high-performance kart, or if it's been a few years since you have, you owe it to yourself to pull a few g's in a hot Sprint kart. One of the best places to pull this off is Moroso Motorsports Park's new 0.9-mile kart track that recently opened alongside its great dragstrip. The Palm Beach, Florida, facility offers a state-of-the-art track where you can pull as many g's as your body can handle. You can actually rent a kart, helmet, and driving suit, and hit the track in a Birel N35X Racing Kart for $25 for 15 minutes of track time. It doesn't get any easier than that. Check out the details by logging onto www.morosomotorsportspark.com.
Clevite Engine Builders Club
Do you fancy yourself an accomplished engine builder? If so, Clevite has created an association just for you. Called the Clevite Engine Builders Club, all you have to do to join is log onto www.clevite.com, click on the Engine Builders Club logo, and fill out the entry form. In return, Clevite will send you a quarterly newsletter, a membership certificate you can hang on your wall, an exclusive Clevite Enginer Builder Club hat, and engine building tech tips you can use on your next assembly. The best part is that it doesn't cost a penny!