Smithers partners with University of Akron Formula SAE Racing Team

Akron, OH – Smithers announces sponsorship of the University of Akron Formula SAE Team. Smithers also recently hosted the team at the Smithers Tire & Wheel Test Center for a tour of the facilities and a discussion about laboratory testing for automotive components.
The University of Akron has participated in Formula SAE for over 30 years. Students are challenged to incorporate their classroom knowledge into effective automotive designs by designing, building, and racing a Formula One-style racecar. The experience empowers students to enter the workforce with confidence and make significant contributions to the automotive industry after graduation.
The University of Akron team recently placed eighth out of 89 teams at Formula SAE Michigan in May 2022, with top ten finishes in the Endurance and Design events. The team will return to Formula SAE Michigan this year, along with competitions in Austria, Hungary, and Germany. The sponsorship from Smithers will support the design and creation of the car itself, as well as shipping costs and travel expenses for overseas competitions.
“At Smithers, we deeply value our long-standing relationship with the University of Akron and are proud to have many alumni on staff, including myself,” said Jim Popio, PhD, Vice President, Smithers Materials Science and Engineering Division. “Fostering young people’s enthusiasm for STEM and creating opportunities for these students is very important to our business. We are very excited for the opportunity to sponsor this team of bright, passionate engineers and provide the support they need to take their car to the next level.”
In addition to sponsorship of the Formula SAE team, Smithers provides additional support to the University of Akron via Popio’s participation in the Mechanical Engineering Advisory Council and a robust co-op program that places students in Smithers labs for hands-on work experience. There are over twenty University of Akron alumni currently working at Smithers.
For more information about the University of Akron Formula SAE team, visit https://zipsracing.org/