Did you visit our display at the Detroit NAIAS?  Let us know what you thought about the display.

Grizzlies Racing would like to thank their display sponsors for their support.  Without their support we would not have been able to attend and host a display at the Detroit NAIAS.

We have received much support and guidance from Lindsay Exhibits.  We received design, advertising, and display assistance from them.  If you have viewed our pictures, please note the display was created by Lindsay Exhibits.  Learn more about the company by visiting lindsayexhibits.com.

Ramp Boss USA also generously assisted our team by creating a custom ramp for our 2011 vehicle.  We were able to use the ramp in our auto show display.  If you are interested in purchasing a ramp of any size visit rampbossusa.com.

Tobin’s Lake Studios supported our team by supplying the lighting for our exhibit.  An Oakland University graduate from the company was able to illuminate our display highlighting our main vehicle components.  Learn more about the company at tobinslake.com.

If you are interested in supporting Grizzlies Racing we would love to discuss sponsorship opportunities with you.  Contact us at ousae@oakland.edu.

Learn more about their presence at NAIAS by reading the recent press release that was on the Oakland University homepage.

SAE chapter shows off vehicles, OU at international auto show

By Eric Reikowski, media relations assistant

Along with showcasing cutting-edge products from the world’s leading automakers, this year’s North American International Auto Show will also spotlight vehicles created right here at Oakland University.

The OU Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Collegiate Chapter’s 2010 and 2011 award-winning formula- style race cars are currently on display at Cobo Center, in downtown Detroit. This is Oakland’s second year appearing in the show and marks the first time the university has received sponsorship for an exhibition, according to Tom Garvey, OU SAE business manager.
“This year, we have a fabulous display that was donated to us by OU alum Tra Lindsay, proprietor of Lindsay Exhibit Group,” Garvey said. “The company has been working with us for about two months on design, graphics and lighting for our exhibit. We also have a very nice ramp that was donated by RAMP-BOSS USA.”

OU SAE members are manning the exhibit located in the building’s main concourse, where attendees can admire the cars and learn about the university. OU Admissions staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about university programs during the show’s Education Day on Wednesday, Jan. 18.

Representatives from the OU Alumni Association and School of Engineering and Computer Science will also be available.

Designed and built by Oakland Students, both vehicles are well-traveled in competition. The 2011 car claimed 11th place out of 84 teams that faced off in the Formula SAE California event held last June in Fontana, CA. The 2010 car has captured its share of honors, including the Detroit Sports Car Club of America’s Formula SAE class title, and was named “Best Looking” at a competition in Toronto.
Oakland’s SAE chapter regularly participates in other events, including the Woodward Dream Cruise, Concours d’Elegance of America, Rockin’ Rods in Rochester and the SAE World Congress at Cobo Center. The team is currently working on its 2012 vehicle in preparation for an SAE event at Michigan International Speedway this spring.

“We’re so excited to be displaying our vehicles amongst the newest and best autos in the world,” said Stephanie Moore, OU SAE marketing manager. “We feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to share our success with the public.”

Grizzlies Racing received a special visit at Charity Preview.  Learn more about the visit by reading the press release posted on the Oakland University homepage.

Oakland University students involved in the increasingly popular international Formula SAE collegiate car design competition have once again had the honor of showing off their work at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The honor was made all the more memorable, however, when Gov. Rick Snyder paid a visit with the Golden Grizzlies team and complimented the display of their 2010 and 2011 race cars.

“The students put so much hard work into this, so I think it’s great that they got some recognition when the governor stopped by,” said Brian Sangeorzan, associate professor of mechanical engineering in the Oakland’s School of Engineering and Computer Science.

Each year, a team of up to 40 students pool efforts to design, build, test, market and compete with a formula-style racecar. Most team members are from the SECS, but participants have come from other disciplines as well, including programs in OU’s School of Business Administration, School of Nursing and others.

Their efforts have paid off. Though the Golden Grizzlies teams have worked with budgets of only $15,000 or so, they’ve placed as high as 11th and 13th in competitions hosting as many as 120 international teams.

Sangeorzan said that as much as students enjoy engaging in all aspects of the competition, they also enjoy representing the university at events that attract automotive industry representatives, potential team sponsors and prospective students. The NAIAS regularly delivers on all counts.

“We’ve had a number of high school students come up to us this year and ask a lot of questions, and we’ve even had parents of both prospective students and students who are already here come and talk to us,” he explained.

The Oakland cars and the students who’ve helped build them will continue to greet visitors in the lobby outside the main entrance of the auto show through Sunday, when this year’s NAIAS comes to a close.

Come see us at the Detroit International Auto Show today through January 22nd.

Clicking on the picture will lead you to an article written by Christopher Poulos.  Chris sat down with OU’s John Smerczak and learned a little bit about what OU FSAE is all about.  If you don’t  know what OU FSAE is about, click on the picture and check out Chris’s article.