PCEC News
GVSU Laker Racing Formula SAE team visits the Arrow McLaren IndyCar factory in Indianapolis
November 03, 2023
On the Monday of their Fall Break, members of GVSU’s Laker Racing Formula SAE team visited the Arrow McLaren IndyCar factory in Indianapolis. The visit was coordinated by Jody Scott and Carly Cripe from the factory's people department.
Robert Wilmot, Director of Design and Production, conducted the tour which commenced at their new engineering trailer used for running simulations and gathering data on race weekends. Next, they visited the composite area where they were able to observe best practices in maintenance, repair, and testing carbon fiber parts and chassis.
While in the factory, they also toured the facility for practice pit stops which hosts the practice car and lastly got to meet the engineers who were working that day. During this meeting they were able to observe as the engineers worked and communicated virtually with engineers working in Florida to simultaneously conduct tests on a racecar.
The tour concluded with a discussion with Gavin Ward, the team principal of Arrow McLaren, and Robert Wilmot. The conversation revolved around career opportunities in motorsport for engineers and how to take full advantage of them.
The Laker Racing Formula SAE team members found the factory visit highly informative and inspiring, equipping them with valuable knowledge about getting involved and furthering their careers into motorsport.
Two of the students also got their Fanatec McLaren GT3 Steering Wheels signed! They returned to GVSU both inspired and beaming!