To get behind the wheel for Sun Devil Motorsports is a process steered by driver character, history and intuition.
Each year, ASU's chapter of the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers builds a Formula-style racecar to compete at Michigan International Speedway in the spring. Alongside assembling the car, the team prioritizes selecting the right driver for this level of competition.
When evaluating a driver's fit, Sun Devil Motorsports president Patrick Fattu considers one's character, background in racing and involvement with the team before putting them at the wheel.
"It's a mix of character: Are they involved in the team? Are they doing the work that everybody else is doing and then some?" Fattu said. "Do they have the background to help out? Because this is a very difficult vehicle to drive; you can't just put anybody in it."
WATCH MORE: Video: Follow Sun Devil Motorsports as the group builds a car
Fattu is a senior studying mechanical engineering. He joined the team in his freshman year, motivated by an interest in pursuing a career in motorsports. As the president, he oversees many moving pieces, engineering and business-related matters. He also has a team of executives that oversees their own sub-teams, with one being the data acquisition team.
The data acquisition team collects data from the vehicle to check how the car's systems are working, see how fast it can go and measure rotational forces. Leading this team is Kaden Greenlief, a junior studying data science, who enjoys racing and problem-solving.
For Greenlief, the challenges that come with building a racecar don't fall into the same realm as his data science major, making their uniqueness fun for him to solve.
"Building a racecar comes with a lot of interesting challenges that you don't deal with in a lot of other situations," Greenlief said.
Alongside Greenlief on the data acquisition team is freshman Nolan Peterson, who is studying computer systems engineering.
Peterson's passion for motorsports started at a young age, when he was immersed in the world of mechanics and cars through his father and grandfather. He also grew up watching Formula One and other racing series. This immersion in motorsports developed Peterson's interest in both the engineering and racing sides of cars.
"I'm also really interested in the engineering that goes into it," Peterson said. "It's really cutting-edge technology that we're doing here. It's pushing the boundaries of what's possible for college students."
To become a driver is a selective process that relies on a driver's experience. Peterson has seen most of the team's drivers come in with a history of go-karting.
Sitting behind the wheel since he was five, sophomore driver Diego LaRoque felt his familiarity with racing helped him reach the club's driver's seat. LaRoque is also a member of the suspension sub-team, where his background in riding motorcycles and go-karting led to an interest in joining Sun Devil Motorsports.
During his driver tryouts, LaRoque drove the car alongside other candidates. He was tested on driving skill and intuition with the car and asked to provide feedback on how the car felt.
After reconnecting with his racing roots, LaRoque was inspired to change his major, pursuing one that exists within the car industry.
"I did not join school in mechanical engineering, but I realized I rekindled my love for motorsports and also engineering, so I decided to switch," LaRoque said.
Having a strong group of engineers enabled the club to efficiently stretch its budget.
Christine Burboz, a senior studying finance and business data analytics, who works with the club's finances, is impressed by what her team can accomplish with how little they get.
According to Burboz, ASU's Formula SAE chapter receives $10,000 from the school and receives other materials and technologies through sponsorships and local connections. To secure these sponsorships, a team reaches out to various organizations to communicate the Sun Devils' design goals and personal stories.
"Maybe if we had the same resources (as other schools), we would be so much better," Burboz said. "I do think it's made us hungry; we push ourselves a lot harder because of where we start."
Edited by Alan Deutschendorf, Senna James and Pippa Fung.
Reach the reporter at cjoneil6@asu.edu and follow @cjojournalism on X.
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Char O’Neil is a junior studying sports journalism with a minor in special events management. This is her third semester with The State Press. She has also reported for AZPreps365, Blaze Radio and Phoenix College Basketball.
