Formula SAE

 

 

Formula SAE/Formula Student is the largest and most popular student

engineering competition series in the world. Started by the Society of Automotive

Engineers (SAE) in 1979, the competitions challenge engineering students to conceptualize, design, fabricate and compete with a formula style race car putting their engineering knowledge to practical use and giving hands on exposure to product development.

 

The concept behind competition is that a fictional manufacturing company has contracted a student design team to develop a small Formula-style car. The prototype race car is to be evaluated for its potential as a production item. The target marketing group for the race car is the non-professional weekend autocross racer.

 

The prototype race car is judged through static and dynamic events with the following points distribution:

 

Static Events:

Presentation=75
Engineering Design=150
Cost Analysis=100

 

Dynamic Events:

 

Acceleration Test

A test of  car acceleration 0 -75  

75 Points

 

Skid pad

Check the car’s maneuverablity by running it in a track

50 Points

 

 

Autocross

A dynamic event which puts driver’s maneuvering skills to the test

150 Points

 

 

Endurance

A brutal 22 km race that tests the limits of both man & machine.

300 Points

 

 

Fuel Economy

Examining the relevance of the design in the current economy.

100 Points

 

 

Design

A test of the design quality, innovative ideas and theory behind the design.

150 Points

 

 

Business Presentation

A technical presentation wherein the Car is marketed to a hypothetical firm.

75 Points

 

 

Cost Analysis

A report on the cost of the project, testing The feasibility of the project in current World scenario.

100 Points

 

Total Points=1,000

 

These competitions promote careers and excellence in engineering as they encompass all aspects of the automotive industry including research, design, manufacturing, testing, developing, marketing, management and finances. Hence, unlike other racing and motorsports competitions, this is an engineering design competition where students are tested on their technical knowledge, creativity, and imagination.