Motorsports Engineering Updates
The Motorsports Engineering program continues its expansion with a new building, additional faculty member, and students and alumni racing on other continents.
New Motorsports Building
Work will begin in fall 2010 on a new 15,000-square-foot $4.5-million motorsports engineering building, which will be adjacent to the current motorsports lab on the UNC Charlotte campus.
“This second motorsports building will focus on the research activities of the program,” said Mechanical Engineering professor Dr. Ahmed Soliman, director of the motorsports engineering program. “Our current lab building will be used for student projects and race teams.”
The new building will become home to the program’s water tunnel, a new small-scale wind tunnel, computational facilities, state-of-the-art engine dynamometer, faculty and graduate student offices and other research facilities. Completion is scheduled for fall of 2011.
David George Joins Faculty
The motorsports engineering program is proud to announce that David George has joined the faculty as a full-time Distinguished Lecturer. George has worked as a part-time lecturer in the past, teaching advanced engine topics, automotive powerplants and energy conversion design.
George brings a wealth of engine expertise to UNC Charlotte. Since 1999, he has been technical director for Roush Yates Racing Engines LLC. His additional professional engine experience includes Cosworth Racing, Honda Performance Development, Ed Pink Racing Engines, and Nissan Performance Technology. He will be in charge of the motorsports engineering senior design projects.
George’s additional professional engine experience includes Cosworth Racing, Honda Performance Development, Ed Pink Racing Engines, and Nissan Performance Technology. His master’s thesis at the University of Maryland was “Optimizing High-Speed Engine Inlet Systems.” He will be in charge of the Motorsports senior design projects.
Racing in South Africa
Mechanical Engineering Senior Cliff Daniels served as crew chief and his sister Tiffany (2007 UNC Charlotte Motorsports Engineering graduate) was driver, as they raced to a top 10 finish at the “Freestate 500” ASA stock car race in South Africa on January 31, 2010.
The brother-sister team raced the #19 Snow the Racehorse sponsored Toyota Camry race car in the historic event, which was designed to expand NASCAR style racing internationally.
“Due to traveling limitations,” Cliff said, “we didn’t have a large pit crew to change tires or fuel the car during the race. So, besides being the crew chief I also served as a tire changer during pit stops. At times it was quite juggling act.”
In addition to pursuing her own driving career, Tiffany works full-time with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing, supporting the teams of Juan Pablo Montoya and Martin Truex Jr.