SRJ prepares for FSAE competition

Jaguars start your engines! The Southern University Rapid Jaguar racing team (SRJ) are setting the bar a little higher for the Southern University Mechanical Engineering department. SRJ are set to compete in a four-day competition titled The Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE), in Lincoln, Nebraska on June 17-20, 2015. The competition was started by a non- profit educational and scientific organization that is dedicated to the advancing mobility technology. It challenges SAE student members to create an open wheel racecar based on a set of specifications outlined in the rules manual. At the competition, teams must go through both dynamic and static testing. For dynamic testing, the actual performance of the vehicle is tested by means of the acceleration test, skid pad, autocross, and endurance. For the static event, the teams present their cost report, business presentation, and design presentations, highlighting the importance of communication and organization. The competition is set to include over 30 different universities from around the world.
Founder of SRJ Adetola Anifalaje, a senior Mechanical Engineering and Mathematic major started the organization during her excitement of applying her knowledge from the classroom to the real world through hands on application.
“As a little girl, I’ve always been intrigued as to how mechanical and electrical systems work,” said Anifalaje.
“ I’m so glade that I’m now fortunate enough to do what I love,” finished Anifalaje.
The team is composed of over 23 Mechanical Engineering majors and hopes to gain more as the semester progresses. These students are working tirelessly to design, market, manufacture, and compete with the best small formula style racecar. SRJ plans to push the limits ensure that Southern University is represented and to place among the first 10 in the competition. The team are advised by some the greatest instructors which include,Dr. Sam Ibekwe, faculty advisor, Dr. Dwayne Jerro, Chari advisor,and Dr. Edgar Elevins, SU FSAE supervisor.
Being a beginning organization, SRJ is working to gain sponsorship from industries, corporate partners, small businesses, and families. SRJ’s budget to build the perfect formula car is $60,000, including $13,200 for the suspension, $10,600 for the drivetrain, $17,350 for the engine, and $18,850 for miscellaneous expenses. SRJ currently has two sponsors ,Southern University, which awarded them $5,000, and GN Gonzales provided the team with two new Yamaha R6 Engines, an exhaust system, and a wiring harness, which are key components gathering the structure of a formula car.
To acquire more information pertaining to SRJ, contact team captain Adetola Anifalaje at [email protected].