Fast Forward: Graduating members of UOIT's Formula SAE racing team acquire TLM Racing

UOIT engineers launch new business and prepare to enter F1200 Championship Racing Series

Throughout their undergraduate years at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), engineering students Sam Ashtiani, Shane Viccary, and Jonathon Rolstin have helped bring distinction to UOIT's engineering program. All have been key project leaders on the UOIT Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) team that applies innovative race car design and engineering skills and puts them to the test against other top North American universities. Now, after meeting the challenges of UOIT's leading-edge learning environment, Ashtiani, Viccary and Rolstin are taking their outstanding track record to the next level.

Even before they graduate this June with Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degrees from UOIT, Ashtiani, Viccary and Rolstin are taking their competitive drive into the real world. In February, all three teamed up to launch their very own business, AVR Motorsports. Recently, AVR Motorsports acquired TLM Racing of Burlington with sights set on achieving new success in the Formula 1200 Championship Series.

"The hands-on skills we've learned in our engineering courses will hopefully set us apart from the competition," says Sam Ashtiani. "We've been challenged to push the boundaries of our thinking and learning at UOIT. Without these experiences and the opportunities offered through UOIT Motorsports, Shane, Jonathon and I would not be in this unique position to lead a full-fledge racing team," added Ashtiani.

Both Ashtiani and Viccary bring a veteran's perspective as drivers in the F1200 Series, while Rolstin brings American Le Mans Series and Grand Touring mechanical experience to round out AVR's leadership and management team.

The team is already making headlines after capturing first and second-place honours March 25 at the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE) Design Competition. Ashtiani, Viccary and Rolstin have been working on two separate engineering design projects while at UOIT. Only 13 groups qualified for OCE funding, and two of the successful projects were AVR's: for lightweight and cost-effective chassis design and for their design of a dynamically adjustable aerodynamics system.

The soon-to-be UOIT graduates plan to build AVR Motorsports into a team of five cars. On April 3rd at Mosport's Driver Development Track, the team recruited three drivers to steer their Stiletto, and two Borland Racing Developments (BRD) cars for the upcoming F1200 season. "Our goals include adding a new higher-tech component in both racing strategy and engineering," says Ashtiani. "By applying our vision for designing composite materials for the chassis to testing adjustable wings, we hope AVR Motorsports will be a leader in the F1200 series."

AVR Motorsport's first race will come at the inaugural race of the Formula 1200 season: the BEMC/CASC Ontario Regional Races May 8 at Mosport International Raceway north of Bowmanville.

For more information about AVR Motorsports, please visit www.avrmotorsports.com.

As for the UOIT Formula SAE team, it will next travel to compete at Formula SAE Michigan from May 12-15. Until that time the team will be busy perfecting its new race car model, the F2010.

Initiated in 2006, the Durmach UOIT Motorsports team's mission is to design, fabricate and race a scaled Formula One-style car in a Formula SAE event. The club's inaugural entry into the international event - the F2007 - won the Bill Mitchell Rookie of the Year award.

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