THE COMPETITION
Formula SAE is a student design competition that was started in 1979 and was initially modelled on a similar student design competition called Baja SAE. After a few failed attempts and some rule changes to increase the scope of the project, the Formula SAE series was born.
The premise of the competition is that a fictional company is developing a prototype small open wheel race car which is targeted at the non-professional weekend racer. The team acts as a consultant firm tasked to bring the best design to the competition where it will be comprehensively evaluated against their competitors. The design and fabrication of these small open wheel race cars is guided by the Official Formula SAE rules which ensure safety as well as to promote ingenuity amongst students. There are now more than 12 competitions around the world including the United States of America, Germany, UK, Brazil, Japan, and Australasia.
Technical Inspection
Rules Compliance
This involves 4 tests; rules compliance, rain test (ensuring vehicles are safe to operate in rain), brake test (ensuring all wheels have adequate braking force to lock), and tilt test (ensuring the car in stable in high lateral acceleration and that no fluid systems leak). These tests are in place to ensure that the car is safe not only for the driver but also for the spectators. No points are awarded, but vehicles must pass technical inspection before being allowed to compete in dynamic events.
Acceleration
Dynamic Event
100 Points
A zero to 75 metre straight line test of the vehicle's longitudinal acceleration.
Autocross
Dynamic Event
125 Points
Single, timed hot laps on a twisty autocross style course to evaluate the car’s overall manoeuvrability and handling characteristics.
Endurance
Dynamic Event
275 Points
A 22km stint of the autocross circuit, with a driver change mid-way as a test of the vehicle’s (and often driver’s) reliability and endurance. this event, and a large number of points are allocated to reward designs that are both fast and efficient.
Efficiency
Dynamic Event
100 Points
As part of the Endurance Event, points are awarded based on the energy efficiency of the car though accumulator charge or fuel consumption
Skid Pad
Dynamic Event
75 Points
A figure-8 course to evaluate the car’s constant-radius cornering ability.
Cost Report
Static Event
100 Points
A submission of a report and a presentation detailing the steps and manufacturing processes to produce the vehicle in the scope of low volume production.
Engineering Design
Static Event
150 Points
This requires both the submission of a design report detailing the main criteria of how the car was designed, and a detailed technical presentation at competition.
Business Presentation
Static Event
75 Points
This involves a presentation to a panel of executives to explain the business case for your car, detailing how it best suits the demands of the amateur weekend racing market.
Technical Inspection
Rules Compliance
This involves 4 tests; rules compliance, rain test (ensuring vehicles are safe to operate in rain), brake test (ensuring all wheels have adequate braking force to lock), and tilt test (ensuring the car in stable in high lateral acceleration and that no fluid systems leak). These tests are in place to ensure that the car is safe not only for the driver but also for the spectators. No points are awarded, but vehicles must pass technical inspection before being allowed to compete in dynamic events.
Acceleration
Dynamic Event
100 Points
A zero to 75 metre straight line test of the vehicle's longitudinal acceleration.
Autocross
Dynamic Event
125 Points
Single, timed hot laps on a twisty autocross style course to evaluate the car’s overall manoeuvrability and handling characteristics.
Endurance
Dynamic Event
275 Points
A 22km stint of the autocross circuit, with a driver change mid-way as a test of the vehicle’s (and often driver’s) reliability and endurance. this event, and a large number of points are allocated to reward designs that are both fast and efficient.
Efficiency
Dynamic Event
100 Points
As part of the Endurance Event, points are awarded based on the energy efficiency of the car though accumulator charge or fuel consumption
Cost Report
Static Event
100 Points
A submission of a report and a presentation detailing the steps and manufacturing processes to produce the vehicle in the scope of low volume production.
Engineering Design
Static Event
150 Points
This requires both the submission of a design report detailing the main criteria of how the car was designed, and a detailed technical presentation at competition.
Business Presentation
Static Event
75 Points
This involves a presentation to a panel of executives to explain the business case for your car, detailing how it best suits the demands of the amateur weekend racing market.
Skid Pad
Dynamic Event
75 Points
A figure-8 course to evaluate the car’s constant-radius cornering ability.