DeKALB – Car fanatics, start your engines; a car show is coming to the streets of NIU.
The second annual Huskie Motorsports Car and Bike Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 22 in parking lot 2, east of Anderson Hall.
The show is hosted by NIU Huskie Motorsports, a student-led Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) team that designs and builds a formula-style race car each year, according to their website.
Formula SAE is a design competition where students build race cars to compete against other schools. The competition is organized by SAE International, formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Alex Gernenz, a senior engineering major and president of NIU Huskie Motorsports, said he hopes this year the show will attract 50 to 100 cars and/or bikes.
“Last year, which was our first year, we got around 40 cars,” Gernenz said. “So for the first year that’s pretty good.”
Gernenz said all money made at the show will go towards building a car, which the team will take to a competition in Michigan next year.
“Every dollar is getting spent to build a car,” Gernenz said. “In every car-guy’s dream, that’s where the money should be going.”
Gernenz said the team raised about $500 from last year’s show with a turnout of about 40 vehicles.
The show will have food trucks, drinks and desserts. A portion of all proceeds that vendors make will be given to Huskie Motorsports.
To promote the show, Gernenz said the team has been attending various car shows to advertise the event.
Gernenz said that organizing the events and building the car each year allows team members to develop valuable skills and connections.
“We attend community events to promote the car, promote the school and the College of Engineering,” Gernenz said. “On top of that, it’s just building the foundation of our members to help them post graduation. It gives them a lot more experience and makes them more valuable on the job market.”
Vehicle entry is $10 and registration fees will be collected on site. Spectators can attend the show for free.
