TOPDON USA Sponsorship Powers Build of EV and Autonomous Formula Student Racecar Created by the University of Toronto Formula SAE Racing Team
TOPDON USA Sponsorship Powers Build of EV and Autonomous Formula Student Racecar Created by the University of Toronto Formula SAE Racing Team
ROCKAWAY, NEW JERSEY – APRIL 24, 2024 – TOPDON USA, the nation’s premier provider of cutting-edge technology and advanced tools for auto repair professionals and enthusiasts, has demonstrated its deep commitment to creating the next generation of automotive engineers with the announcement of a sponsorship for the University of Toronto Formula (UTFR) SAE Racing Team. Through a generous donation of cash and key diagnostic tools, TOPDON is supporting the 2023-2024 academic team’s development of a fully electric and an autonomous driving Formula Student racecar to compete in the 2024 Formula SAE season.
“The TOPDON team keenly understands the importance of educating the next generation of auto engineers across North America,” said Chad Schnitz, Vice President of TOPDON USA. “We’re incredibly excited to help sponsor this year’s University of Toronto’s Formula SAE Racing Team as they look to make their way back to the Winner’s Circle this season. From design and manufacture to testing, racing and troubleshooting, the SAE Formula program is an incredible opportunity for students to experience the full lifecycle of a vehicle build.”
As a Gold Sponsor of University of Toronto Formula Racing Team, TOPDON contributed cash, as well as two TC003 handheld thermal cameras and a Hurricano200 portable lithium power station. A recent product introduction, the TC003 thermal camera delivers high-quality imaging, exceptional temperature sensitivity, and the ability to link to an endoscope for more specialized thermal work. The Hurricano200 is designed for powering up to 7 low-level electronic devices simultaneously with safe, efficient, and stable 200W pure sinewave supply.
The University of Toronto Formula Racing team is structured into four operating departments including Electrical, Mechanical, Driverless (DV) development, and Business. More than 70 members are actively involved with the school’s team. In 2024 UTFR will compete at the Formula Hybrid + Electric competition at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway from April 29-May 2. The next competition is Formula SAE Electric from June 12- 15 at the Michigan International Speedway. The team will also compete in Europe at Formula Student Czech Republic, August 5-10, 2024, at the Autodrom Most.
“Our team had the opportunity to meet the TOPDON team during the special unveiling of our newest racecar UT24, in March.” said Daniel LaRosa, UTFR Team Principal and Mechanical Technical Director. “We were excited to share how TOPDON’s thermal imaging cameras helped us maximize tire performance by understanding how each tire was affected by heat and air pressure. The thermal cameras were also instrumental in the development of our EV racecars to track and monitor critical battery temperatures. This allowed us to identify hotspots and uneven temperature distribution that could compromise the performance and life of our batteries.”
Formula SAE is an engineering education competition that requires performance demonstration of vehicles in a series of events, both off track and on track against the click. The SAE International's Collegiate Design Series (CDS) programs were created to prepare undergraduate and graduate engineering students in a variety of disciplines for future employment in mobility-related industries by challenging them with a real world, engineering application.
To date, TOPDON has donated over $80,000 to aid organizations and schools that are dedicated to preparing the next generation of auto technicians around the world.
About TOPDON USA
Founded in 2017 and based in Rockaway, New Jersey, TOPDON USA is a provider of entry-level, mid-level, and advanced tools and solutions for professional technicians, as well as DIY enthusiasts. Globally, TOPDON has over 200 industry-leading engineers and owns over 140 intellectual property rights. The company’s cutting-edge technology helps shops minimize downtime and maximize profits. For more information visit www.topdon.us
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