Jay Leno Drives the Uconn Formula SAE car around campus!

Kinja'd!!! "smashthegas" (smashthegas2)
09/21/2014 at 09:28 • Filed to: None

Kinja'd!!!26 Kinja'd!!! 73

Yesterday Jay came to Uconn to do some stand up, heard about our team, and we were asked to show the car off before the event! We managed to convince the police department to escort him around the streets if he wanted to drive it...and drive it he did!

We were featured on the local news station:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Cheers!

Kinja'd!!!

DISCUSSION (73)


Kinja'd!!! Kat Callahan > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 10:29

Kinja'd!!!3

SAE huh, is he one of your alums?


Kinja'd!!! PardonMyFlemish16 > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 10:35

Kinja'd!!!0

I would sell my motorcycle for something like that in a heartbeat... if I could drive it.


Kinja'd!!! DatsunOfABit > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 10:47

Kinja'd!!!5

University of North Florida proudly invites UCONN to come get some. SwoopD3 is ready to keep climbing up the SAE charts.

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! tommyh4 > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 10:59

Kinja'd!!!0

LSU also went and finished competition in Michigan and competed in Lincoln. UCONN you are going down next year!

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! jimz > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 11:01

Kinja'd!!!0

I was on the FSAE team for my senior project, working on the engine/powertrain. Incredibly fun project. Also a harsh first look at how difficult it is to design something as complex as a car.


Kinja'd!!! doug > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 11:11

Kinja'd!!!0

I was kicked off campus when I drove my Ariel Atom to UCONN. The double standard..... lol


Kinja'd!!! tromoly > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 11:20

Kinja'd!!!0

Don't let the rules committee see that video, they added/were thinking of adding a rule that any evidence of using an FSAE car in any "unsafe" manner would result in either points penalties or possible disqualification from upcoming events.


Kinja'd!!! WarShrike > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 11:26

Kinja'd!!!1

Guessing this is last seasons car? Cause if y'all already have this year's car built, I'd be impressed lol!


Kinja'd!!! JackieLCollins > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 11:27

Kinja'd!!!0

Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail

 www.jobspug.com


Kinja'd!!! Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double > Kat Callahan
09/21/2014 at 11:28

Kinja'd!!!6

at OU, the formula SAE teams autocrosses every Sunday across the street from my office/lab in the Lloyd Noble parking lot. Those things are quick, VERY QUICK. I took my helmet over once and they let me run the course in my car. I damn near hit a light pole!


Kinja'd!!! smashthegas > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 11:44

Kinja'd!!!0

Kinja'd!!!

Not an alum, he was just doing a show here.


Kinja'd!!! smashthegas > Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double
09/21/2014 at 11:45

Kinja'd!!!1

Definitely, I drove in Michigan and Canada. One of the best handing cars I've ever driven!


Kinja'd!!! smashthegas > WarShrike
09/21/2014 at 11:46

Kinja'd!!!1

Yep, last season's car. It's still running and driving, and is being used as a platform for testing.


Kinja'd!!! PeteRR > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 11:57

Kinja'd!!!0

I would commute to work in that. Just a bit of a fairing to keep the bugs out of my teeth.


Kinja'd!!! jeebus > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 12:23

Kinja'd!!!3

bwahahahahahahah his chin doesn't fit in the helmet


Kinja'd!!! Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 12:23

Kinja'd!!!0

That's cool - Bummer he didn't make it out to West Conn - I'd have made the trip up (much closer to me coming from Fairfield)


Kinja'd!!! firesharter > DatsunOfABit
09/21/2014 at 12:42

Kinja'd!!!0

#904


Kinja'd!!! wætherman > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 13:04

Kinja'd!!!0

I wasn't familiar with Formula SAE, but after having read about it, it sounds like an awesome competition and the cars that come out of it sure seem like they'd be fun to drive - basically a motorcycle's weight and power, in a four-wheeled design. It's great that JL was able to be there and drive that car - congrats to U Conn for making such an awesome vehicle, and getting one of the country's most enthusiastic auto enthusiasts to drive it!


Kinja'd!!! munter_vish > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 13:04

Kinja'd!!!1

Kinja'd!!!

for if/when Mr. LEno comes to india :)..


Kinja'd!!! ctmeche > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 13:06

Kinja'd!!!2

I'm a UConn Engineering grad (2002, Mechanical, and Metallurgy &Materials double). I Was at the 2013 UConn car club show, with my S2000 only one spot from the SAE car and chatted up the team working on it. Good times, and seems like a great outcome from being a small part of the team that first got UConn back to the SAE competition back in 2001 after being absent for years.

I also have had the pleasure of speaking with Jay in person on the phone. After I shared a story on Jay Leno's Garage website a few years back, and included a pic and contact info, he actually called me on my cell. We only chatted about 5 minutes, but it's great that he takes the time to talk to interested people, even if they're nobody.

Good luck to the SAE team!


Kinja'd!!! cardriverx > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 13:12

Kinja'd!!!2

Congrats you guys! Great PR for the team. I was on the University of Pittsburgh team myself.

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Matt Brown > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 13:23

Kinja'd!!!0

Cool!


Kinja'd!!! jcpwn3r > tromoly
09/21/2014 at 13:25

Kinja'd!!!0

If that happened, I'm sure jay leno would publicly shame the council of tightasses *ahem* i mean rules committee, to the point that they'd let it slide or fear sponsors would pull out of events.


Kinja'd!!! tromoly > jcpwn3r
09/21/2014 at 13:41

Kinja'd!!!0

Thank you for pointing out you have no knowledge of the FSAE rules committee. In fact, the RC would probably use that as an example of their rulings, if something happened with a celebrity in the car that would reflect poorly on the team.


Kinja'd!!! ronk212 > DatsunOfABit
09/21/2014 at 14:02

Kinja'd!!!0

Is it a rule that SAE cars have too look terrible?


Kinja'd!!! ThePinnacle > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 14:13

Kinja'd!!!0

I'm looking at that and I'm eyeballing a ton of caster (close to 15 deg?) small KPI (5 ish?), a little less than 100% ackerman, and close to zero scrub radius.
amirite Uconn dudes?
That's how I'd probably set it up anyway. You ever get any old dudes on the team? Guys coming back to school in their 30s?


Kinja'd!!! 505Turbeaux > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 14:39

Kinja'd!!!0

my alma mater. Towers and jungle alumnus woooo!


Kinja'd!!! jonimi > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 15:22

Kinja'd!!!0

Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail

 www.jobs7000.com


Kinja'd!!! MallardDuck > Kat Callahan
09/21/2014 at 15:23

Kinja'd!!!4

SAE, as in Society of Automotive Engineers. Not drunk frat boys.

Formula SAE is a competition where you build a formula car and race.


Kinja'd!!! Kat Callahan > MallardDuck
09/21/2014 at 15:25

Kinja'd!!!4

...it was a joke.


Kinja'd!!! Hifrequency > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 16:04

Kinja'd!!!0

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! tommyh4 > cardriverx
09/21/2014 at 16:13

Kinja'd!!!0

Emily?


Kinja'd!!! zack > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 16:15

Kinja'd!!!0

Kinja'd!!!

is your team going to the U of T shootout next weekend


Kinja'd!!! maxgz > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 16:18

Kinja'd!!!0

Did FSAE all through College, biggest detriment to my grades, biggest contributor/improvement on my actual education. Something about designing, building, funding, racing, braking, fixing a car with fellow students and sleeping/studying in the library for your exam the next day that brings the best out of us academically. In job interviews out of school we talked about Formula SAE and what I learned and practically applied, not my sub-par GPA.


Kinja'd!!! OKCguy > Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double
09/21/2014 at 16:19

Kinja'd!!!1

Every sunday(weather permitting)? What time of day? I'd like to come out and watch that.


Kinja'd!!! bobbybrown1457 > cardriverx
09/21/2014 at 16:35

Kinja'd!!!0

I'm at Pitt too- see that car up in Benedum all the time! Is there currently a new one there with the unpainted CF bodywork?


Kinja'd!!! ctdubbin > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 17:01

Kinja'd!!!0

Just wanted to check in and rep UCONN, my Alma Mater. I'll see ya'll at the next Caffeine and Carburetors!


Kinja'd!!! AMG OMG > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 17:37

Kinja'd!!!0

Looks like they made a custom helmet just to be able to fit his chin into it...


Kinja'd!!! Austin Bartz > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 18:55

Kinja'd!!!0

Aww man this is cool! We've got to get Leno to come drive our Formula Hybrid car at MSOE!


Kinja'd!!! TomFlasheYoung > MallardDuck
09/21/2014 at 20:01

Kinja'd!!!0

People always think I'm in that frat. I refer to it as "Formula" now instead.


Kinja'd!!! TomFlasheYoung > cardriverx
09/21/2014 at 20:03

Kinja'd!!!0

dat sway bar linkage is unreal


Kinja'd!!! Matthew Newberg > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 20:51

Kinja'd!!!0

Is anyone selling a kit car with the same layout (Small Motorcycle Open Wheel). I know of Formula 500 using Rotax, but the CVT doesn't interest me.


Kinja'd!!! TheDocktor > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 21:35

Kinja'd!!!0

Kinja'd!!!

I will see your Jay Leno and raise you a Tony Kanaan...I admit we couldn't convince him to take it for a spin


Kinja'd!!! Agent-Goldfish > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 21:44

Kinja'd!!!0

Sac state is comin' fo' that ass... As soon as we buy some better facilities, cuz our entire engineering department doesn't even know how to pronounce "grant application".


Kinja'd!!! wallaby13 > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 21:53

Kinja'd!!!0

Needs more Aero for more fun G's


Kinja'd!!! Carrie F. Butler > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 22:12

Kinja'd!!!0

Start working at home with Google! It's by-far the best job I've had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail

———————————> www.jobs700.com


Kinja'd!!! techinsanity2011 > smashthegas
09/21/2014 at 22:26

Kinja'd!!!0

What is an FSAE car? I mean, I know what they look like, but are they less powerful as opposed to other formula cars, or are they in the middle?


Kinja'd!!! Noodles > Kat Callahan
09/21/2014 at 22:38

Kinja'd!!!1

Couldn't be…

Jokes are funny.


Kinja'd!!! Forrest > smashthegas
09/22/2014 at 01:32

Kinja'd!!!0

THIS VIDEO NEEDS MOAR HOONAGE!


Kinja'd!!! gibzat > smashthegas
09/22/2014 at 05:58

Kinja'd!!!0

in france we have remi gaillard, and cops don't be advice before..


Kinja'd!!! gibzat > smashthegas
09/22/2014 at 05:58

Kinja'd!!!0

in france we have remi gaillard, and cops don't be advice before..


Kinja'd!!! bariki > smashthegas
09/22/2014 at 07:58

Kinja'd!!!0

I was on an FSAE team for about a month, but I quit because I wasn't an engineering major and wasn't willing to do menial labor just to get senior members to teach me. The senior leadership either wouldn't give tell me the time of day (ie, I ask "What's going on?" and am told "Sorry, too busy to tell you."), or confused my questions as criticism... it was not a good atmosphere for non-engineering people, at least for me.


Kinja'd!!! StndIbnz > Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double
09/22/2014 at 08:41

Kinja'd!!!0

Yea, our team does a lot of practice and set ups. Not on the team anymore, but I've driven those cars in AutoX and in competition. They are no joke.

Also, DON'T WRECK OUR CAR! lol

-OU alum.


Kinja'd!!! Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double > OKCguy
09/22/2014 at 09:22

Kinja'd!!!2

i may have exaggerated. It isn't EVERY Sunday but it should be starting up soon. I would just contact the Formula SAE team at OU and say you'd like to watch their practices. They are VERY PROTECTIVE about their cars and don't mention 'the idiot in the Honda prelude' (that's me) but yeah they are reasonably hospitable to fans during practice. They are freaking serious folk though also... Look up OU's SAE team. Their ranked in the top ten eeeeaaaasssyyy in the west. Maybe top 5.


Kinja'd!!! Kaufmania: Mark Webber's Stunt Double > StndIbnz
09/22/2014 at 09:38

Kinja'd!!!1

too late.

Ice storm aafter super bowl.

Angular momentum, black ice and a parked RV conspired to kill me and a friend. We won. Car lost. So did the RV.

Kinja'd!!!

free ride to the hospital!!!

- Soon to be OU PhD allumi.


Kinja'd!!! typhoon5000 > smashthegas
09/22/2014 at 10:17

Kinja'd!!!0

Nice! Kettering University FSAE Alum here! I also volunteer at the MIS Comp each year as a worker, but unfortunately had to miss this year's.


Kinja'd!!! uofime > MallardDuck
09/22/2014 at 10:32

Kinja'd!!!1

but really, it basically is a fraternity. Basically all men who spend way to much time together and drink to excess often


Kinja'd!!! Kuro no Sz > smashthegas
09/22/2014 at 10:51

Kinja'd!!!0

At my school, NCA&TSU (GO AGGIES!), I worked on both Formula, and Baja SAE projects. While Formula is cool, more open tech development and faster more powerful cars, I loved Baja just a bit more. The community is great, you spend a weekend in the dirt and mud, and wheel to wheel racing for the big Sunday endurance race. FSAE models itself more as a time attack race.

Outside of the racing it's all full development in both series designing and building cars from the ground up. For my school, it was an option for senior design (I was the lead designer for the rear suspension of our off-road Baja car) if you had participated in the club for at least two years prior to that. You have to do a full design presentation to SAE officiates, compete in a number of static, dynamic, and safety events as well.

It's great fun, and great design experience.


Kinja'd!!! Kuro no Sz > smashthegas
09/22/2014 at 10:51

Kinja'd!!!0

At my school, NCA&TSU (GO AGGIES!), I worked on both Formula, and Baja SAE projects. While Formula is cool, more open tech development and faster more powerful cars, I loved Baja just a bit more. The community is great, you spend a weekend in the dirt and mud, and wheel to wheel racing for the big Sunday endurance race. FSAE models itself more as a time attack race.

Outside of the racing it's all full development in both series designing and building cars from the ground up. For my school, it was an option for senior design (I was the lead designer for the rear suspension of our off-road Baja car) if you had participated in the club for at least two years prior to that. You have to do a full design presentation to SAE officiates, compete in a number of static, dynamic, and safety events as well.

It's great fun, and great design experience.


Kinja'd!!! Kuro no Sz > smashthegas
09/22/2014 at 10:51

Kinja'd!!!0

At my school, NCA&TSU (GO AGGIES!), I worked on both Formula, and Baja SAE projects. While Formula is cool, more open tech development and faster more powerful cars, I loved Baja just a bit more. The community is great, you spend a weekend in the dirt and mud, and wheel to wheel racing for the big Sunday endurance race. FSAE models itself more as a time attack race.

Outside of the racing it's all full development in both series designing and building cars from the ground up. For my school, it was an option for senior design (I was the lead designer for the rear suspension of our off-road Baja car) if you had participated in the club for at least two years prior to that. You have to do a full design presentation to SAE officiates, compete in a number of static, dynamic, and safety events as well.

It's great fun, and great design experience.


Kinja'd!!! WarShrike > smashthegas
09/22/2014 at 11:07

Kinja'd!!!0

Ok, cool. We've got out jig setup for the chassis stuff right now.

The guys took it out this summer for a local autocross event, got to get in some great runs to figure out more what they want out of this season's car. It's nice because even when we try to setup a private course at school with a closed parking lot, some goober still ends up driving through the barricade to park or shortcut through the lot. They're met with a lot of shouting and arm waving...

It's like what part of it's CLOSED do you no understand!?


Kinja'd!!! DatsunOfABit > ronk212
09/22/2014 at 11:49

Kinja'd!!!0

Is it a rule your grammar has to be terrible? It is to not too.


Kinja'd!!! cardriverx > bobbybrown1457
09/22/2014 at 12:22

Kinja'd!!!0

Should be, I graduated in 2013 through.


Kinja'd!!! cardriverx > tommyh4
09/22/2014 at 12:23

Kinja'd!!!0

No, Steve. I was the president of the team in 2012-13. I do know who you are referring to through.


Kinja'd!!! jcpwn3r > tromoly
09/22/2014 at 14:48

Kinja'd!!!0

huh. FSAE tweeted the video themselves. looks like you don't know the rules committee too well either chief.


Kinja'd!!! tromoly > jcpwn3r
09/22/2014 at 15:45

Kinja'd!!!0

The FSAE twitter is ran by people in the SAE International office in Pennsylvania. The FSAE/FS Rules Committee is composed of volunteers around the whole world, none of which do anything with that twitter account.

For example, Pat Clarke from Australia is a Chief Design Judge at multiple events around the world and is one of the highest regarded members of the rules committee. This post is from four years ago, it states his view very clearly. https://www.formulastudent.de/academy/pats-c…


Kinja'd!!! homebrewED > tromoly
09/23/2014 at 16:58

Kinja'd!!!0

How was any of this unsafe? He had a police escort and it's not like he was actually gunning it and/or testing the performance capabilities of the car?


Kinja'd!!! tromoly > homebrewED
09/23/2014 at 21:04

Kinja'd!!!0

https://www.formulastudent.de/academy/pats-c…


Kinja'd!!! homebrewED > tromoly
09/24/2014 at 10:46

Kinja'd!!!0

This article gives examples of serious safety issues and how they give university administrators nightmares or alters their perception about the safety and validity of these FS programs at their universities.

I don't see anything unsafe, with letting Jay Leno, a man known throughout the automotive world, to drive the car, especially with a University police car escort!


Kinja'd!!! tromoly > homebrewED
09/24/2014 at 11:36

Kinja'd!!!0

The author, Pat Clarke, is one of the most senior members of the Rules Committee.

It doesn't matter who someone is, you don't risk safety! Several FSAE cars have burnt to the ground after a few minutes of driving when something suddenly catastrophically happens. Waterloo just one year ago, Univ. of Alabama in 2007, and a German team whose name escapes me just a few months ago, all complete losses on vehicles that were inspected and "safe" moments before. And in the case of the Alabama car, the only safety gear worn by the driver was a helmet, he's VERY lucky to have not been seriously burnt.

You are missing my point entirely. It doesn't matter if Jay Leno, or the Pope, or Barack Obama are driving an FSAE car, if they want to drive one they should make arrangements to do so and have fun. But when doing so, wear ALL the protective gear, it only takes a split second for the car to go from nice and shiny to looking like the below pictures.

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!


Kinja'd!!! Swiftus > ronk212
09/28/2014 at 00:27

Kinja'd!!!0

I think ours is cute.

https://www.facebook.com/TeamGFR/photos…


Kinja'd!!! Swiftus > ronk212
09/28/2014 at 00:27

Kinja'd!!!0

I think ours is cute.

https://www.facebook.com/TeamGFR/photos…


Kinja'd!!! Swiftus > ronk212
09/28/2014 at 00:27

Kinja'd!!!0

I think ours is cute.

https://www.facebook.com/TeamGFR/photos…