CBT interviewed Jung Yun woo, who is the fomer-president of Tachyon. He is also the executive of Association of Automobile Research Inter-univ. in Korea. Tachyon is a club for students who make cars by themselves in the School of Mechanical Engineering. It won a prize for its effort in Formular Society of Automotive Engineers in Detroit, America which was held from May 17 to the 21st of this year. Let's listen to his story in detail.

About Tachyon

The word 'Tachyon' refers to a material which is faster than light. The purpose of the Tachyon club is using the knowledge we have learnt from the lectures to make cars in reality. Tachyon was founded in 1998. We plan the concepts of cars, design the cars, and assemble the cars so that we can participate in the contests. In detail, we make frames and suspensions, and then we install engines and brake wiring. However, these activities depend on which contest we prepare for. For domestic contests, it takes 6 months for designing a car and 3 months for assembling it. For overseas contests, it takes a year for designing a car and a year for assembling it. It is difficult for students like us to manage all the processes, from designing to assembling, so we feel pride. I feel especially proud of obtaining prizes in the contests. It means we are recognized as a club that has excellent skills to make good cars.

Relationship between Tachyon and me

The reason I applied for Tachyon is that I was interested in cars and racing ever before entering CBNU. After entering CBNU, I got an information Tachyon from the seniors. At first, many friends of mine and I joined Tachyon, but, after a while, only one friend and I remained. However, Tachyon's activities such as watching races, seeing the processes of other universities' car production and getting together with seniors fit me well. Though the tasks are very hard, I have been working passionately in Tachyon.

Hardships in doing activities for Tachyon

Our main working period is during vacation. During that time, except for a little sleep, we spend 24 hours a day making cars. This situation makes us feel tired, and we sometimes have difficulty studying while doing Tachyon. This is why our parents want us to stop doing these activities. However, we always try to study hard so that they don't need to worry about that.

Funding is the biggest problem for Tachyon because the prices of components can't be ignored. In addition to this, transportation expenses cost a fortune because some of the components can't be found in Cheongju. Then, we have to go all over the country to find them. We have run Tachyon aided by research funds from professors and dues.

Do what you want first

This year, a few freshmen joined Tachyon. I think they worry about losing time for their studies. It is definitely important for the university students to prepare for finding a job, of course, but doing what they want is more important. It provides a good opportunity of finding their own interests and aptitudes. I think we don't have enough time to do what we really want after graduating from the university.

To CBNU students

Some CBNU students complain about the noises when we prepare and practice for the contest. Of course, I understand their opinions. They are busy studying. However, we hope CBNU students will do us a favor. It takes just a few vacation breaks to prepare for the contest, not every day. We work hard with pride as CBNU representatives, and we have obtained several prizes in the contests so far. I want CBNU students to be more considerate of Tachyon.