Three UW-Platteville students became leaders of a new club on campus that aims to unite UW-P students who have a love for cars. Starting this semester, the UW-P Automotive Enthusiast Club was established by the club’s leaders to attempt to push racing away from the streets and create a more safe and legal atmosphere for people with the need for speed.

“Working on your car alone can sometimes be stressful,” Craig Thering, vice president of the AEC, said. “This club provides you with access of tools and knowledge to get the job done.”

Before winter break, three students, Matt Biernacki, president of AEC, Thering and Tim Gaffron, CFO for AEC, brainstormed ideas about creating a car club, and eventually went to the Pioneer Involvement Center and filled out an application of intent to create an organization. As part of the process, the three men began to create a member list and find an adviser willing to help put together the club.

Daryl Logan, mechanical and industrial engineering professor, is the AEC’s adviser. Still in the process of their six month trial, the club hasn’t become official yet. If the six month period expires and the club is still together, they will then have to go before the Student Organization Committee.

Biernacki, Thering and Gaffron emphasized that the group is open to anyone with any kind of motor interests, whether it be auto mechanics or off-roading.
“Learning and sharing information about automobiles in this club is another way to expand my knowledge,” Tim Gaffron said.

The group meets every Monday evening at 8 p.m. in University South room in the Pioneer Student Center. Though it’s still a bit cold and wet out to show or race cars, the group discusses old news, upcoming news and any projects or ideas for projects the group can take on. Their goal is to hopefully have a weekly car show for students. Members are creating fundraising events for the club and also the community. More specifically, they are putting on a fundraiser to help purchase tools in the new automotive laboratory in the Engineering Building.

“I felt that UW-P was lacking in a way to express automobile interest and therefore we are forming this new organization as a way for students to contribute their enthusiasm for cars,” Biernacki said.

With an X-Box tournament on March 9 and plans for bowling and movie nights around the corner, the AEC has made a jump start for students with a hobby they can share with others.

Club members also put together a Facebook group as a way to make friends and hopefully acquire more members. More than 80 students have joined so far. For more information, visit their Facebook group by searching for “UWP AEC.”