The Kettering University Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) teams are asking for your help by launching a crowdfunding campaign to support their programs.

The formula, clean snowmobile, aero design and baja teams have all launched crowdfunding campaigns with the goal of raising $7,500 each.  

“The funds will be used directly to support our students,” said Dr. Greg Davis, professor of Mechanical Engineering and faculty advisor to clean snowmobile team. “The funds are used to buy materials and the equipment to manufacture their designs and we use it to support travel to our competitions. One hundred percent of those funds go directly to support students and these programs.”

The Formula Team has finished in the top-10 in the past two years and are hoping for another solid finish this year at the Michigan International Speedway competition on May 13-15 and another one at the Lincoln Nebraska Airport from June 16-20. In 2014, the team also won the Pay-For-Performance Award for producing the best vehicle with the least resources. Davis estimates that teams from larger schools are out-spending Kettering at an alarming rate and these crowdfunding campaigns will help level the playing field.

“Kettering has a long history of talented members of SAE teams going on to make incredible impacts in many different industries, "said Kettering President Dr. Robert McMahan at an alumni reception at the Detroit Athletic Club on April 22, 2015.  

The Clean Snowmobile team finished in second in the March 2015 competition which marked the third straight year that they have either finished either first or second in the event. In 2015, the team was recognized for having the best fuel economy, quietest snowmobile, lowest in-service emissions and most practical design awards on their way to a second place overall finish.

"Participating on SAE teams truly helps students become better engineers, better leaders and makes them more sought after as professionals because of the enriching experiences they gain,” McMahan said.

Support Kettering SAE teams by visiting Kettering’s Crowdrise page by clicking here.