Briggs Cunningham’s 1950 Cadillac “Le Monstre”—an aerodynamic anomaly that shocked the racing world—has found a second life through English enthusiast Derek Drinkwater. Driven by passion, Drinkwater spent five months building a meticulous replica of the original 11th-place finisher. Today, he pilots this roadworthy tribute in vintage races worldwide, preserving the legacy of Cunningham’s audacious American experiment.
UCF Knights Racing is the premier collegiate motorsports organization at the University of Central Florida, serving as a high-octane testing ground where students bridge the gap between theoretical classroom knowledge and real-world engineering. Comprising two distinct competitive teams—Formula SAE and Baja SAE—the organization challenges members to design, manufacture, and race high-performance vehicles from scratch. The process is a rigorous multidisciplinary effort that goes far beyond mechanical engineering; it requires a complex ecosystem of subsystems including aerodynamics, chassis design, powertrain, suspension, and sophisticated data acquisition. Operating much like a professional racing firm, the team also integrates business majors who manage budgeting, sponsorship relations, and marketing, ensuring the project remains financially viable. This dedication to excellence has propelled them to national recognition, such as their historic 2019 performance at the Michigan International Speedway, where the Formula team placed 12th in the nation and dominated their state rivals.
