TOPDON USA Sponsors University of Toronto Formula SAE Racing Team

TOPDON USA supports the next generation of automotive engineers with the announcement of a sponsorship for the University of Toronto Formula (UTFR) SAE Racing Team.

Through a donation and diagnostic tools, TOPDON supports the 2023-24 academic team’s development of a fully electric and an autonomous driving Formula Student race car to compete in the 2024 Formula SAE season, according to company officials.

“TOPDON understands the importance of educating the next generation of auto engineers across North America,” said Chad Schnitz, vice president of TOPDON USA. “We’re excited to help sponsor this year’s University of Toronto’s Formula SAE Racing Team as they look to make their way back to the Winner’s Circle.”

As a Gold Sponsor of University of Toronto Formula Racing Team, TOPDON contributed cash, as well as two TC003 handheld thermal cameras and a Hurricano200 portable lithium power station. A recent product introduction, the TC003 thermal camera delivers high-quality imaging, exceptional temperature sensitivity, and the ability to link to an endoscope for more specialized thermal work. The Hurricano200 is designed for powering up to 7 low-level electronic devices simultaneously with safe, efficient, and stable 200W pure sinewave supply.

The University of Toronto Formula Racing team is structured into four operating departments including Electrical, Mechanical, Driverless (DV) development, and Business. More than 70 members are actively involved with the school’s team. 

In 2024 UTFR will compete at the Formula Hybrid + Electric competition at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway from April 29-May 2. The next competition is Formula SAE Electric from June 12-15 at the Michigan International Speedway. The team will also compete in Europe at Formula Student Czech Republic, August 5-10, 2024, at the Autodrom Most.

“Our team had the opportunity to meet the TOPDON team during the unveiling of our newest racecar UT24, in March.” said Daniel LaRosa, UTFR Team Principal and Mechanical Technical Director. “We were excited to share how TOPDON’s thermal imaging cameras helped us  understanding how each tire was affected by heat and air pressure. The thermal cameras were also instrumental in the development of our EV racecars to monitor critical battery temperatures.”

Formula SAE is an engineering education competition that requires performance demonstration of vehicles in a series of events, both off track and on track against the click. The SAE International’s Collegiate Design Series (CDS) programs were created to prepare undergraduate and graduate engineering students in a variety of disciplines for future employment in mobility-related industries by challenging them with a real world, engineering application.

To date, TOPDON has donated over $80,000 to aid organizations and schools that are dedicated to preparing the next generation of auto technicians around the world.