Since 1995 Rocket Motorsports, The University of Toledo Formula SAE team, has been building innovative vehicles for regional and international competitions.

The Rocket Motorsport team is currently preparing to compete at the Formula SAE Michigan competition, beginning Wednesday, May 14. The competition is at Michigan International Speedway and features over 120 teams from across the globe, including teams from Germany and Brazil, who are spending time with Rocket Motorsports before the competition.

Formula SAE is a student-led competition sanctioned by SAE International. Teams of college students are challenged to design, build and race an open wheel formula style racecar. Over 400 chapters at universities worldwide participate in a number of regional competitions.

Dynamic performance, design, manufacturing methods, project budget, testing and final product are judged by leading industry professionals. The judging process tests students to the edge of their knowledge by creating an atmosphere equal in stress level to marketing a product to a consumer.

Formula SAE teaches organizational, time management and leadership skills, promotes professionalism and encourages the use of cutting-edge technology. The program offers students the opportunity to apply the theories learned in the classroom and challenges students to apply new concepts and push limits, often resulting in designs at the forefront of technology.

The team is broken down into six specialized areas including team management, chassis, suspension, powertrain, electrical and composite. Each group is equally important to the creation and success of the vehicle.

“The 2013-2014 season marks the 20th year of our Formula SAE team,” said Dale Hamberg, team leader and a senior in the College of Engineering. “This year’s team includes students in a wide variety of majors, from engineering to business, and the car expresses each individual’s knowledge, research and creativity.”

For more information, contact Rocket Motorsports at sae@eng.utoledo.edu.

Tags: College of Engineering