SAE International F1 in Schools U.S. National Champions Announced

WARRENDALE, Pa., May 15, 2012 - SAE International hosted the F1 in Schools U.S. Finals competition on May 11-12. The competition challenged student teams to design a model Formula One Car, giving them hands-on experience with the engineering process.  

During the two days of competition, more than 40 students on nine teams, from six U.S. states travelled to the famed Michigan International Speedway (MIS) in Brooklyn, Michigan for the event.

Student teams designed their model Formula One Cars using 3D CAD software then manufactured their model using CAM software and a CNC machine and finally raced their vehicles in regional competitions across the country to earn a spot in the U.S. Finals. At the finals, student teams were judged on racing their cars, verbal presentation and an engineering interview of the team.

The 2012 U.S. National Champions, Team  Shift was from Wheeler High School and Campbell High School in Marietta, GA. The all-female team, comprised of Kelly Fitzgerald, Sabine Saldahna, Anna Awald and Claire McCoy, was coached by Liz Fitzgerald.  The team developed a scale model Formula One car of the future which proved to be one of the best designed and fastest on the track.  Their efforts earned them the opportunity to represent the U.S. in the 2012 F1 in Schools World Finals in which they will compete against teams from around the globe.

“F1 in Schools and SAE International has provided Team Shift with an educational experience well beyond the classroom,” said Team Shift coach Liz Fitzgerald.  “They have had the opportunity to not only apply their engineering, technology and design skills but also learn the power of teamwork.  These are lessons they will carry throughout their lives.”

The rest of the competition results were as follows:

Best Team Sponsorship & Marketing     

• Team Winner: Victus (Manheim Township High School – Lancaster, PA)

Best Verbal Presentation

• Team Winner: Nova Racing (Pharr San Juan Alamo High School – Pharr, TX)

Best Portfolio

• Team Winner: Pirate Racing (Braden River High School – Bradenton, FL)

Best Team Identity                                                                                                                    

• Team Winner: ACES (Medina County CC – Media, OH)

Fastest Car

• Team Winner: Shift (Wheeler High School – Marietta, GA)

Best Engineered Car

• Team Winner: Shift (Wheeler High School – Marietta, GA)

USA Senior Third Place 2012

• Team Winner: Infinitum (Elizabethtown High School – Elizabethtown, PA)

 USA Senior Second Place 2012            

• Pirate Racing (Braden River High School – Bradenton, FL)

USA Senior Champions 2012                

• Team Winner: Shift (Wheeler High School – Marietta, GA)

“Competitions like the F1 in Schools spark inspiration in the minds of young students who are the future of our industry,” said Matt Miller, Director, SAE Foundation & Pre Professional Programs. “I was excited to see the enthusiasm and inventiveness of the student teams and I believe the winning team will be very competitive against international teams this fall.”

“Our thanks to SAE International for hosting an excellent National Finals and welcoming the teams to Michigan International Speedway,” said Andrew Denford, Founder and Chairman of F1 in Schools, based in the UK. “They have been very supportive of the F1 in Schools program, and with their assistance we will continue to see the program grow for years to come.”

About the SAE Foundation
The SAE Foundation is the charitable arm of SAE International that strives to encourage and increase student participation and achievement in science, technology, engineering and math through educational programs, including A World In Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series™. SAE International is a global association of more than 133,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE International's core competencies are life-long learning and voluntary consensus standards development.

- www.saefoundation.org -

 Editor’s Note photos of the event are available upon request.