What is FSAE?

Introduction

The competition is for SAE student members to conceive, design, fabricate and compete with small formula-style racing cars. There are several design restrictions in this competition such as a maximum engine capacity of 610cc and air intake of 20mm diameter. The students must use their knowledge, creativity and imagination to work within these limitations and seek the most optimal results.

The cars are built with a team effort over a period of about one year and are taken to annual competitions for judging and comparison with approximately 140 other vehicles from colleges and universities throughout the world. The end result is a great experience for young engineers in a meaningful engineering project as well as the opportunity of working in a dedicated team effort.

Design Objectives

The students are to assume that a manufacturing firm has engaged them to produce a prototype car for evaluation as a production item. The intended sales market is the non-professional weekend autocross racer. Therefore, the car must have very high performance, in terms of its acceleration, braking and handling qualities. The car must be low in cost, easy to maintain and reliable. In addition, the car's marketability is enhanced by other factors such as aesthetics, comfort and use of common parts. The manufacturing firm is planning to produce 4 cars per day for a limited production run and the prototype vehicle should actually cost below US$25,000. The challenge to the design team is to design and fabricate a prototype car that best meets these goals and intents. Each design will be compared and judged with other competing designs to determine the best overall car.

Competition Overview

The competition is judged by the following:

Cost and Manufacturing

Design

Acceleration

Skid-pad

Autocross

Endurance / Fuel Economy