The University of New Mexico's Formula Automotive Engineering Society (FSAE) program recently received a significant donation from a prominent local restaurant owner.
The $25,000 donation from Dorothy and Larry Reinosek will go toward general operations of FSAE electric vehicles, said John Russell, director of the FSAE Robomotorsports program and professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Russell said Rhinosex became interested in supporting FSAE after seeing Robo Living Room's presentation on the 2023 program. They also took a tour of the Dana C. Wood FSAE Racing Lab and Garage after the presentation. Russell said he also invited the Rhinosexes to a driving day (where supporters get a chance to drive a car around the track) where they learned more about the program and talked with students. Soon, they decided to sponsor his FSAE.
Russell said half of the donation will go toward 2024 team car construction and competition, and the other half will go to the capital equipment fund.
The Rhinosek family, which owns Frontier Restaurant and Golden Pride, is a major supporter of UNM. They received an honorary doctorate from UNM in 2013.
UNM's FSAE program is funded almost entirely by private donations. Donations can be made online.
