In 2002, Colorado State University initiated a new thrust area, Performance Engineering, to specifically support the Motorsport Industry. The University and the College of Engineering have dedicated a 6-acre Research Campus, which includes over 24,000ft2 of research facilities, to this new Program.
The Performance Engineering program has been developed to educate graduate level engineers for positions in the Motorsport Industry, both in roles as vehicle systems designers and as track engineers. All Performance Engineering students remain closely connected to the industry and have the added responsibility of technical management of undergraduate racecar projects.
Research capabilities include: Vehicle Dynamics, Composite Materials Design and Manufacturing Development, and Engines, Fuels and Lubricants. The main research facility houses a high performance shock dynamometer, friction dynamometer for brake materials testing, chassis structural testing, high performance computing and design capabilities, plus a host of materials characterization equipment and manufacturing development systems.