7/3/2012 By Kathryn L. Heine
Written by By Kathryn L. Heine
The event, which was held during mid-May, is the largest and most prestigious event on the SAE Collegiate Design Series calendar. A total of 120 university teams from England, Austria, Germany, Australia, Japan, Venezuela and many other countries competed in such static events as presentation, design and cost as well as dynamic events that include skidpad, acceleration and endurance. The endurance race, which many teams typically do not finish, is considered the main event of the competition. In it, two drivers each drive 11 kilometers. This year was Illinois' first finish at the event in 10 years.
The Formula SAE event has grown remarkably since its inception when only six teams competed for the top prize. Today, the event is capped at 130 entries from around the world, and this year five of the top finishers were from outside the United States.
Team dedication and corporate and donor sponsorship have helped turn the Illinois team into a perennial top team at Formula SAE events. In recent years, the team went from modest finishes to placing 8th last year in California, third place earlier this year in Virginia, and 13th at the signature event in Michigan.
Students who participate in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) team design, build, and race a mini formula race car each year. The competitions provide a training ground for students interested in product development. The rules of the yearly competition enforce a development cycle very similar to that encountered in many industries. The corporate sponsors of Formula SAE are involved for this very reason. The activity also teaches students valuable lessons about project management, design within economic constraints, scheduling, teamwork, salesmanship, research skills, manufacturing methods, and interpersonal relations.