Matthew Kline
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Jonesville, MI

Matthew Kline of Jonesville Builds World's Second Fastest College Race Car

2013 May 29

Matthew Kline, a mechanical engineering major from Jonesville, Mich., a member of Saginaw Valley State University's 2013 Cardinal Formula Racing team, competed with his teammates in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers Collegiate Design Series at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, May 8-11. SVSU's team secured second place in the acceleration category and placed 51st among the world's top 120 college and university race teams.

Over the course of a year, team members design and build an Indy-style race car to be judged according to a 99-page rule book in categories such as acceleration, endurance and fuel economy, as well as non-racing events such as cost, presentation and marketing.

SVSU has developed a strong tradition in FSAE competition with four top-20 finishes, placing sixth in 2002, eighth in 2005, 14th in 2008 and 18th in 2010. Several past team members have continued to engineering careers in NASCAR and other racing series, as well as leading automotive manufacturers.