FORMULA SAE RIDES AGAIN!

The Formula SAE competition is an international collegiate design series that is hosted by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Currently in its 34th year, the event challenges students to design and fabricate a formula style car to compete against universities from around the world.

Competition contests include a variety of static and dynamic events ensuring the team has a firm grasp on all aspects of the design process. To succeed, a team must build a car that excels not only in performance, but also in price, production feasibility, construction and tooling considerations.

This year, for the first time in five years, ODU fielded a car in the 2012 SAE formula car competition in Michigan. This year's car had many challenges to overcome. The first was that the entire car was designed and built in just one semester, less than half the normal time it takes to complete such a project! The team recycled parts from past formula car attempts and made it to competition in Michigan. A motor failure in the autocross, and the associated difficulties readying the car for the remaining dynamic event, although did not deter the determined team, reduced the teams ranking considerably. In the face of these challenges, ODU placed 83 out of the 120 registered teams and completed all contests involved in the competition.

The design process for the 2013 formula car has been underway since the moment the team returned from competition. An evolution of the most recent team design, ODU is looking to take this year's entry to the top half of the rankings.

If you are interested in helping ODU 2012-2013 Formula SAE team, please contact Miles Martschink (mmart073@odu.edu ).