Special Programs

The Special Programs Committee was formed to coordinate local programs for SAE Detroit Section members. The programs include tours of different automotive facilities and other points of interest in the Detroit Metro Area, technical meetings on current topics and technologies and an annual golf outing.
2009 Special Programs Calendar

Wednesday, February 11
SAE Detroit Section Wine Tasting Dinner
Carino's Italian - 23075 Outer Drive, Allen Park, MI  48101

SAE Detroit Section will host a Wine Tasting Dinner at Carino’s, giving members and non-members a chance to network and enjoy an evening of fine food and wine. Join us for a four-course meal, each inspired by and served with a complementing chef-chosen wine. Enjoy visiting with wine experts who will be on hand to describe the pairings, as well as provide information and background on each featured selection. If you wish to take any of your favorite wine(s) home that evening, they will be available for purchase at half price.

The event will begin with a Meet & Greet with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres from 5:30-6:00 p.m., followed by a four-course, sit-down dinner with wine pairings from 6:00-8:30 p.m. The cost to attend is $40 per person, which includes dinner and wine pairings.

Wine Tasting Event Flyer


Sunday, March 8
RIDEMAKERZ Special Event for SAE Members
RIDEMAKERZ - Twelve Oaks Mall, 27500 Novi Road, Novi, MI  48377

RIDEMAKERZ is the first ever car-customizing experience where you build and customize one-of-a-kind, model-size cars and trucks. And, SAE members, here’s your opportunity to BUILD YOUR RIDE™ for free! That’s right, on Sunday, March 8, 2009, RIDEMAKERZ is hosting an exclusive SAE event at Twelve Oaks Mall in Novi. Your FREE RIDE (compliments of RIDEMAKERZ) includes the Ride Body, a Freewheel chassis, Stock wheels and treads, and RZ Mix RIDESOUNDZ™.

You choose from Ford Mustangs, Dodge Vipers, MINI Coopers, Chevy Corvettes, pick-up trucks, hot rods, racers and sport coupes. Then, take on the RZ PIT CHALLENGE™, where you race against the clock, and each other, to see how fast you can assemble your new ride on a Street or Monster chassis.

Plus, there’s a shop full of interchangeable, custom accessories you can purchase, which gives you over 649 million ways to BUILD YOUR RIDE™! Customize with chrome wheels, side pipes, engines, sounds, decals and even add radio-control! Everyone leaves the shop with his or her own custom ride. For more details on custom accessories and pricing, go to www.ridemakerz.com (click on Buy Ridez/Custom Partz).

The event is limited to 75 guests so register early! SAE members are allowed to bring guests! This event has been changed to one session with a maximum of 75 people from 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. The SAE registration fee is $10 person (which includes one FREE RIDE per person compliments of RIDEMAKERZ).


Thursday, March 19
GM Heritage Center Tour
GM Heritage Center - 6400 Center Dr., Sterling Heights, MI  48312

In 2008, General Motors opened the GM Heritage Center to coincide with their 100 year anniversary. This facility plays key role in showcasing the company's rich history of success and its strong engineering capability.

SAE Detroit Section has arranged a special tour of the Heritage Center, which normally is only open to GM employees, scholars, analysts and the media. Located in Sterling Heights, Michigan, just north of the GM Technical Center, the GM Heritage Center is not just a museum. Rather, it’s a cross between the ultimate automotive enthusiast's garage and a living repository of automotive history. The GM Heritage Center has 81,000 square feet of flexible space, housing more than 180 vehicles spanning 10 decades. The vehicle collection showcases a wide range of GM design, technology and innovation. Among the vehicles are past and current concept vehicles and historically significant vehicles from various eras (including a 1931 V16 Cadillac, a 1949 Buick Roadmaster, and a 1953 Chevrolet Corvette). In addition to vehicles, the Heritage Center will be the custodian of important historical automotive records and items.

The tour will take place Thursday, March 19, 2009 from 8:30-10:00 a.m. and is limited to 50 people (SAE members and their guests). Pre-registration is required. The SAE tour fee is $15 for SAE members and $10 for student members.


Monday, May 11
 Materials for a Sustainable Future Technical Meeting
The Gazebo - 31104 Mound Road., Warren, MI  48092

The auto industry today is reinventing the automobile using a new “DNA” that will make our future vehicles more sustainable in terms of energy, the environment, safety, congestion, and affordability. This new DNA will encompass a range of technology solutions – from electrification of the propulsion system and advanced on-board electronics to new telematics capabilities, novel materials, and reduced vehicle weight and aerodynamic drag. All of these new technologies are exciting from a materials standpoint because many of the major challenges to their implementation are materials-related.

Dr. Alan Taub, Executive Director, Research & Development at General Motors Corporation will detail the most promising technology options and discuss the major materials opportunities and issues in each area at the “Materials for a Sustainable Automotive Future Technical Meeting”. He will also highlight why the new automotive DNA will revolutionize our vehicles and be paradigm shifting for the industry.

SAE Detroit Section will partner with ASM-Detroit Chapter and the Engineering Society of Detroit to host the “Materials for a Sustainable Automotive Future Technical Meeting”, which will take place on Monday, May 11, 2009 at the Gazebo at 31104 Mound Road in Warren. The social hour will start at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 and the presentation and Q&A at 7:30. The cost to attend is $30 for SAE members, $35 for non-members and $15 SAE student members.


Thursday, May 28
Walter P. Chrysler Museum Tour
Walter P. Chrysler Museum - One Chrysler Dr., Auburn Hills, MI  48326

The Walter P. Chrysler Museum opened to the public on October 5, 1999, and houses production and concept vehicles showcasing Chrysler’s American heritage. In this three-story, 55,000 square foot facility, cars are interspersed with interactive displays and exhibits illustrating the automaker’s impact on American culture and the industry.

The museum features 65+ vehicles restored to original condition, ranging from a 1902 Rambler Model “C” to a 1989 Viper Concept. Interactive exhibits highlight Chrysler’s engineering and design firsts in brake systems, aerodynamics, power steering, the platform team design concept and more. The museum’s 125-seat theater continuously runs short films, which spotlight the life and times of Walter P. Chrysler, muscle cars of the 1950s-1960s and operations within the Chrysler Technical Center. Life-size dioramas recreate historical settings, such as Walter Chrysler’s workshop and office, a WWII battle scene and a 1950s American household. You will also find interactive computer kiosks, which explore the 1920s-1980s and include vintage news footage, classic commercials and audio clips. The gift shop is stocked with a wide range of automotive books, exclusive and hard-to-find collectibles and affordable souvenirs.

SAE Detroit Section has arranged a tour of this historical facility on Thursday, May 28, 2009, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Pre-registration is required. The SAE tour fee is $10 per person and the tour is open to SAE members and their guests.

Map to Walter P. Chrysler Museum


Wednesday, June 3
23rd Annual Golf Outing
Fox Hills Golf Club - 8768 N. Territorial Course, Plymouth, MI

The 23rd Annual SAE Detroit Section Golf Outing will take place Wednesday, June 3, 2009 with a 9:00 a.m. shotgun start at Fox Hills in Plymouth. The day will end with a dinner banquet at the Golden Fox clubhouse at approximately 4:00 p.m.

The outing is limited to 360 players. Sign up early by using the registration form. Each foursome leader will be notified by email approximately two weeks prior to the event with course and registration details. Golf fees will cover a powered cart, complete event scoring, breakfast, lunch, non-alcoholic beverages (cash bar for alcoholic beverages), buffet dinner, give-aways, and first place and contest prizes.

2009 Golf Outing Details
2009 Golf Outing Registration Form


Wednesday, June 17
Alternate Propulsion System - Snapshots from OEMs and Suppliers Technical Meeting
Petruzzello's Banquet & Conference Center - 6950 Rochester Road, Troy, MI  48085

Powertrain developments have never been more active than they are currently. Engine manufacturers are working hard to squeeze out additional efficiency from traditional gasoline and diesel engines. In addition, other propulsion systems are on the drawing boards which must be considered to further conserve fuel and, in the long run, use totally other types of propulsion energy.

This session will take a look at two OEM developments, as well as two component suppliers of critical subsystems in these new vehicles. Included will be comments on Fuel Cell Vehicles, Electric Vehicles, Batteries, and Energy Management. Presenters include Dr. David Cameron, General Motors (Fuel Cell Vehicles); Sherif Marakby, Ford Motor Company (Electric Vehicles); Mujeeb Ijaz, A123 Systems (Batteries); and Karl Stocker, ESG Automotive (Energy Management).

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, June 17, 2009 at Petruzzello's Banquet & Conference Center, located at 6950 Rochester Road in Troy. The social hour, sponsored by ESG Automotive, will start at 5:30 p.m., followed by the presentation and Q&A from 6:30-8:30. The cost to attend is $20 for SAE members, $35 for non-members, and $15 for SAE student members. No refunds will be issued after June 10.

Click Here for the Event Flyer

Thursday, June 25
RIDEMAKERZ Special Event for SAE Members
RIDEMAKERZ - Great Lakes Crossing, 4520 Baldwin Road, Space 847, Auburn Hills, MI  48326

RIDEMAKERZ is the first ever car-customizing experience where you build and customize one-of-a-kind, model-size cars and trucks. And, SAE members, here’s your opportunity to BUILD YOUR RIDE™ for free! That’s right, on Thursday, June 25, 2009, RIDEMAKERZ is hosting an exclusive SAE event at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Your FREE RIDE (compliments of RIDEMAKERZ) includes the Ride Body, a Freewheel chassis, Stock wheels and treads, and RZ Mix RIDESOUNDZ™.

You choose from Ford Mustangs, Dodge Vipers, MINI Coopers, Chevy Corvettes, pick-up trucks, hot rods, racers and sport coupes. Then, take on the RZ PIT CHALLENGE™, where you race against the clock, and each other, to see how fast you can assemble your new ride on a Street or Monster chassis.

Plus, there’s a shop full of interchangeable, custom accessories you can purchase, which gives you over 649 million ways to BUILD YOUR RIDE™! Customize with chrome wheels, side pipes, engines, sounds, decals and even add radio-control! Everyone leaves the shop with his or her own custom ride. For more details on custom accessories and pricing, go to www.ridemakerz.com (click on Buy Ridez/Custom Partz).

The event is limited to 75 guests so register early! SAE members are allowed to bring guests! The SAE registration fee is $10 person (which includes one FREE RIDE per person compliments of RIDEMAKERZ).


Saturday, June 27
Young Automotive Professionals Conference
Chrysler Chelsea Proving Grounds - 3700 South M-52, Chelsea, MI  48118

The SAE Detroit Section along with this year's host, Chrysler Group LLC, invites you to attend the 6th Annual Young Automotive Professional's Conference on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at the Chrysler Chelsea Proving Grounds. The event will include a panel discussion with prominent industry executives on "Emerging Markets and Regional Growth". The afternoon highlight will be a Ride & Drive event, featuring Chrysler's most exciting vehicles on various courses.

8:30 a.m. - Registration / Continental Breakfast
9:30 a.m. - Keynote Speaker- Dan Knott, Head of Vehicle Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC
10:00 a.m. - Panel Discussion
                   Panelists:
                   Timothy Brademeyer, Vice President, Global Product Center- Metals/Mechanism, Johnson Controls Inc.
                   Jeremy Goddard, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, IAV Automotive Engineering, Inc.
                   Karina Morley, Global Vice President- Control & Electronics, Ricardo, Inc.
                   Moderator: Jeff Varick, President & General Manager, Brandmotion LLC
11:00 a.m. - Panel Q & A
12:00 p.m. - Networking Lunch
12:30 - 5:00 p.m. - Ride & Drive

The conference is open to all ages (Ride & Drive requires a driver's license and at least 18 years of age) and is a great opportunity to network with young professionals in the automotive industry. Registration is limited to 250 participants. The cost is $40 for SAE members, $60 for non-members, and $20 for SAE student members. Cost includes breakfast and lunch.

Recruiters and Sponsors Needed!
SAE has developed several value-oriented sponsor/recruiter packages this year to optimize social and professional networking during the event. We strive to align opportunities with talent at our SAE functions. For sponsorship/recruitment opportunities, or to make reservations, please call the SAE Detroit Section (248) 324-4445 to speak with Jill Piasecki.

Note: Camera/Camera phones will not be permitted.
Attendees must be 18 years old and present a valid driver's license.

Attire: Business casual. No shorts, open toed shoes or tank tops permitted.

Click Here for the Event Flyer

Tuesday, September 1
SAE Detroit Section Night at the Detroit Tigers Game
Comerica Park -Detroit, MI 

Come join fellow SAE members and their guests for an evening at the Detroit Tigers game as they take on the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, September 1 at 7:05 p.m. Limited tickets must be purchased in advance and are available on a first-come basis for only $15 each.