Penn Electric Racing: Exploring Motor-Racing and Team Leadership
by Oliver J., M&T Class of 2016 (2nd row from top, 2nd from left)
I first heard about Penn Electric Racing when I saw a poster for it in the Towne building during a tour on M&T day. Given my passions for technology, cars, and motor-racing I immediately knew that I wanted to be involved. At the undergrad activities fair I found the team’s table and got to talk to two of its upper-level leaders, including the captain who also happened to be named Oliver. I signed up for their listserv and started going to their meetings. I soon found my niche in the motor and powertrain team, focusing on motors, motor controllers, and the accompanying drive components.
Fortunately, I got to play a fairly large role quite quickly. I worked mainly on researching motors for our car, looking through websites and cars of past teams from around the world to find the best combination of size, weight, price, and power for our car. One of the motors I suggested ended up in the final round of selections, though with further research by me and the head of the motor team we settled on the other option. Throughout the process I got to stay informed and work closely with the team leadership. It really says a lot about an organization that new members are given so much leeway to prove themselves and really take on major roles. I am very happy that I found this team and I hope to stay involved long into the future!
Oliver is a current M&T freshman in the Class of 2016. He studies Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics within Penn Engineering and has yet to declare his concentration in the Wharton School.
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