Announcment FOR MOTORSPORTS ENGINEERING

From: Elaine Persall (persall@ces.clemson.edu)
Date: Mon Sep 09 1996 - 18:18:01 EEST


FORD COMMITS MONEY TO NATION'S FIRST
PROGRAM FOR MOTORSPORTS ENGINEERING
        Clemson University is racing ahead with the nation's first
motorsports engineering program, thanks in part to an alliance with Ford
Motor Company and other auto-related companies.
        Through the alliance, Ford will open the doors for Clemson
engineering students to work with some of the top NASCAR Winston Cup teams
on engineering-related projects of mutual interest to the university and
the teams involved. Under the terms of the agreement, Ford Motor Co. will
provide $300,000 a year to the motorsports program for a minimum of two
years. For its part, Ford gains the opportunity to hire uniquely qualified
automotive engineers.
        Projects include comparing laser diagnostics from wind tunnel tests
against data from actual track tests, using mathematical models to predict
the handling of a race car, and even simulating how a car responds when it
hits a bump or encounters other turbulence on the track.
        Since revving up in 1995, the Clemson program has allowed
mechanical engineering students to research automotive aerodynamics and
handling in racing venues such as NASCAR track tests at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway. Other opportunities have included NASCAR and International
Motor Sports Association races.
        The students also carry on more traditional research pursuits with
computer simulations and small-scale studies in university laboratories.
Other auto manufacturers and motorsports-affiliated groups are coming on
board as well, including BMW for work with its Genesis race team and
Chrysler for testing on its Viper GTS-R race car.
        The motorsports engineering program is just part of the proposed
Robert H. Brooks Sports Science Institute, which Clemson officials hope
will eventually combine the interdisciplinary study of motorsports
engineering, sports management, marketing, and sports communications.

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Opinions, suggestions, and other controversial matter VOID where prohibited.
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Elaine Persall, Director
Laboratory to Advance Industrial Prototyping
Clemson University
864-656-0321
persall@ces.clemson.edu
http://design.eng.clemson.edu/rp/persall/elaine.html



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