On Wednesday, October 23, Interim Dean Stephan Durham welcomed the SAE International Atlanta Chapter to celebrate success of the Motorsports at the University of Georgia. SAE International is a global body of scientists, engineers, and practitioners that advances self-propelled vehicle and system knowledge in a neutral forum for the benefit of society.
Among those that attended the event were representatives of the SAE International led by Henry Sommer, Ted Arnold, and Tunç Kip; Rick Walker, the founder and CEO of the Georgia Automotive Manufacturing Association; UGA Motorsports alumnus Sam Hepburn (1st UGA Motorsports president and currently working at Rivian) and Josh Pierson (2nd UGA Motorsports vice president and currently working with Power Partners), and several other SAE Atlanta chapter members.
The UGA Motorsports Formula teams hosted the event at the Driftmier Engineering Center. After a welcome from Interim Dean Durham, the group visited the Engineering Fab Lab, Machine Lab, and Motorsports Lab, where they spent time reviewing the progress of the race vehicles students have designed and built. The group returned to Driftmier conference room where students made presentations of past, current and future of UGA Motorsports. The 2024 highlights include how the Formula IC moved up 40 positions and was placed 62 after competing in all static and dynamic events at the International Speedway track in Brooklyn, Michigan, this May. Formula IC Division leaders, led by Jake Skiba the Motorsports President, described the new design and improvements for their 2025 vehicle. Srimanth Adusumilli, the Formula EV (Electric Vehicle) lead, presented the advanced design for their first ever Formula EV which is scheduled to race in June 2025.
Dr. Mativo, the Faculty Advisor for UGA Motorsports emphasized the experiential learning mission of the Motorsports as key to student success, where they challenge and apply concepts learned in class as they design race cars for successful competitions. Over 820 students, both capstone and non-capstone, have participated in the motorsports activities since 2018. The SAE International Atlanta Chapter donated $1,000 towards the club activities.
