What is FSAE?
Formula SAE® is a student design competition organized by SAE International (formerly Society of Automotive Engineers). The first competition was started back in 1978 and was originally called the Mini Indy.
The concept behind Formula SAE is that a fictional manufacturing company has contracted a design team to develop a small Formula-style race 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. Each student team designs, builds and tests a prototype based on a series of rules whose purpose is both to ensure onsite event operations and promote clever problem solving.
Formula SAE promotes careers and excellence in engineering as it encompasses all aspects of the automotive industry including research, design, manufacturing, testing, developing, marketing, management and finances. Formula SAE takes students out of the classroom and allows them to apply textbook theories to real work experiences.
Today, the competition has expanded and includes a number of spin off events. In the United States there are three locations: California, Michigan, and Virginia; Michigan being the largest event and longest running.
Internationally, as part of the Official Formula SAE Series utilizing the Formula SAE Rules Copyright under signed agreement are:
Formula SAE Australasia
Formula SAE Brazil
Formula SAE Italy
Formula Student (UK)
In 2006, Dartmouth College (partnered with SAE International) created the fuel alternative event Formula Hybrid using Formula SAE cars with gasoline-electric hybrid power plants.
CDS Events History
North American Competitions
Formula SAE
First Competition – 1981
Organizing Institution – SAE and Formula SAE Consortium1981 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 6
Number of participating students: 40
Site: University of Texas, Austin, TX
2007 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 130
Number of participating students: 1862
Site: Michigan Proving Ground, Romeo, MI
Note: Registration for Formula SAE was capped for the first time in 2002 at 140 teams. After reviewing overall event operations and the effect of new competition sites the registration cap was reduced to 130 teams in 2007.
Formula SAE West
First Competition – 2006
Organizing Institution – SAE2006 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 70
Number of participating students: 559
Site: California Speedway, Fontana, CA
2007 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 80
Number of participating students: 813
Site: Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA
Note: Registration was capped at 70 teams for the inaugural 2006 FSAE West competition and 80 teams for 2007.
Formula SAE at VIR
First Competition – 2008
Organizing Institution – SAE2008 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 42 to date
Number of participating students: TBD
Site: Virginia International Raceway, Danville, VA
Note: Registration for 2008 FSAE at VIR is capped at 50 teams.
Formula Hybrid
First Competition – 2007
Organizing Institutions – SAE and Dartmouth College2007 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 6
Number of participating students: 90
Site: New Hampshire International Speedway, Loudon, NH
Competitions outside North America
Formula SAE Australasia
First Competition – 2000
National Organizing Institution – SAE Australasia 2000 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 7
Number of participating students: 90
Site: Ford You Yang Proving Ground
2007 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 26
Number of participating students: 1862
Site: Victoria University Driver Training Center, Werribbe, Victoria
Formula SAE Brazil
First Competition – 2004
National Organizing Institution – SAE Brazil2004 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 7
Number of participating students: 60
Site:
2007 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 15
Number of participating students: 200
Site: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Formula SAE Italy
First Competition – 2005
National Organizing Institution – ATA 2005 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 15
Number of participating students: 225
Site: Fiat Proving Ground, Balocco, Italy
2007 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 25
Number of participating students: 375
Site: Ferrari Fiorano Racetrack, Fiorano, Italy
Formula Student
First Competition – 1998
National Organizing Institution – Institution of Mechanical Engineers1998 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 4
Number of participating students: 40
Site: MIRA, Nuneaton, Warwickshire
2007 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 96
Number of participating students: 1500
Site: Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone
Formula Student Germany
First Competition – 2006
National Organizing Institution – VDI2006 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 40
Number of participating students: 654
Site: Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, Germany
2007 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 54
Number of participating students: 1208
Site: Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, Germany
Student Formula SAE Competition of Japan
First Competition – 2003
National Organizing Institution – SAE Japan2003 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 17
Number of participating students: 250
Site: Twin Ring Motegi, Japan
2007 Competition Data Number of registered teams: 62
Number of participating students: 900
For more information: Formula SAE
