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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, June 6, 2013 | 4 Sheridan-built car steers to Formula North by Dominik Kurek Oakville Beaver Staff Sheridan College was one of only two colleges to compete at the Formula North weekend autocross race with a student-built racecar. The Sheridan Motorsports team, comprised of business and engineering students, built a racecar that competed at the May 23-26 race weekend in Barrie, Ont. The locally-built car passed the initial inspection, but did not go on to the track race because of a technical problem. It was still a thrill getting to where it did however. More than 30 teams participated in the opencockpit, single-seat autocross vehicle. There were 15 groups from Canada, 16 from the U.S. and one from Estonia. Conestoga was the only other college to compete. The competition required teams to assume the role of a manufacturer and present their prototype for an open-cockpit, single-seat autocross vehicle to a group of investors. The design had to be low-cost, reliable and easy to maintain. This was Sheridan's first attempt in the competition and the team's technical adviser, Dr. Shaun Ghafari, dubbed it a tremendous achievement. According to Sheridan College, the team members intend to compete again next year and will reflect on the lessons they learned this time around in preparation. They have a new The only thing we didn't build ourselves is the engine -- and hopefully as we grow as a team, we'll be able to tackle that in the future, too. Faculty technical adviser Dr. Shaun Ghafari From left, in back, Dr. Shaun Ghafari (faculty adviser), Fahim Hoque, Hewett Sze, Pablo Herron, Dylan Pirto. In front, from left, Sifat M., Joe Yang, Sadiq Awosanmi, Rob Holden and Ron Perera. In the driver's seat is Ken Faria. photo courtesy Sheridan College understanding of the technical specifications that are important to judges and how to manage the stress of competition. Seventy-five per cent of the car's components were built on site at Sheridan. This includes the vehicle's suspension system, chassis, brakes, steering system, pedals, drive train, electrical components, and body. "Many university teams don't have that capability because they lack machine shops," Ghafari said. "The only thing we didn't build ourselves is the engine -- and hopefully as we grow as a team, we'll be able to tackle that in the future, too." "Business students have gained a unique and rewarding experience working with engineers to promote the Sheridan Motorsports SAE racing car to the Sheridan community and beyond," said professor John MacRae, a faculty adviser to the team from Sheridan's Faculty of Business. "They utilized a range of marketing approaches including social media, web, promotions and events to build strong support and awareness on campus and off. "The opportunity to market a real physical product that is hands-on has made this one of the best experiences for our business students working in collaboration with engineering to mirror the real world," said MacRae. Alert: Your ash trees may be at Who says camp is just for kids? Oakville seniors are invited to enjoy a day of fun at the Town of Oakville's Seniors Sizzlers Camp Day picnic on Wednesday, June 19 at Coronation Park. The event runs 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and will feature Inukshuk making, a drumming circle, heritage crafts, games, a caricature artist and more. Admission is free and barbecue food will be available for purchase. The picnic goes rain or shine. For information, contact the Oakville Seniors' Centre at 905-815-5966 or the Sir John Colborne Seniors' Centre at 905-815-5960. risk from the Emerald Ash Borer ® TruGreen, Canada's leading lawn and tree care company, has been contracted to treat ash trees on public lands in the Town of Oakville from June through August. McTavish Travel BUBLÉ IN CHICAGO Porter Escapes has packages for Michael Bublé's concert in Chicago ­ the first stop on his U.S. Tour. The packages include round-trip air on Porter from Toronto Billy Bishop Airport to Chicago Midway, primeseating tickets (Lower Bowl Section 111 or 112) to the show on Saturday 07SEP13, an autographed "to Be Loved" CD and accommodations at either The Fairmont Millennium Park, W Chicago Lakeshore or W Chicago City Park Center. The package can be for one- or two-nights, there is limited availability and prices vary by hotel. Call us for details. www. porterescapes.com (UAE) will no longer require a visa in order to enter the country. Canadian Passport holders will be granted entry free of charge to the UAE with their visit arrival stamp issued on arrival in the UAE. No application in advance of travel is necessary. The passenger's Canadian Passport will be stamped for 30 days upon arrival. If further stay is required, an application for an extension should be made to the local General Directorate of Residence and Foreign Affairs three days prior to the expiry date. This change will facilitate ease of travel to Dubai, a top business and leisure destination for Canadians. Africa, Stars of South Africa, Rivers & Rails of Africa and Golden Trails of East Africa ­ all of which include a wildlife river safari on Botswana's Chobe River. AmaWaterways is the only river cruise company operating in Africa that offers both river and landbased safari programs. Guests aboard the river cruise have a four-night stay on the 28-passenger Zambezi Queen. The Zambezi Queen offers deluxe accommodations, fine dining and floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, making an excellent vantage point for game-viewing. www.amawaterways. com Ash trees in the Oakville area may be at risk from Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive pest that destroys ash trees if left untreated. Avoid the costs of removal and replacement by treating your ash trees today with help from TruGreen. Special pricing available for Oakville residents. Call or visit TruGreen online for details. 1-866-294-7962 TruGreen.ca Learn more about protecting your ash trees. Join the Oakville Canopy Club. For more information visit oakville.ca WILDLIFE RIVER SAFARIS AmaWaterways' new 2014 Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruise brochure UEA VISA DROPPED Beginning 01JUN13, Canadians details its program in Africa, with travelling to the United Arab Emirates four land safari itineraries ­ Discover Suite 300, Hopedale Mall · 1515 Rebecca Street, Oakville 905.827.1100 travel@mctavish.com www.mctavishtravel.com Ont Reg No 1437985