This project is now in update mode. Check back regularly to see how things are progressing.
Help the Formula SAE International Student Chapter!
Our Team
The Iowa State Formula SAE Team is a student-run organization based in the Student Innovation Center at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Our team comprises over 100 highly motivated students from a diverse range of disciplines who work year-round to design and build a car from the ground up, competing at Formula SAE Michigan. We operate like a startup with real deadlines, budgets, technical reviews, and a strong commitment to success. Time and time again, we have proven our legacy of high-performance innovation in competitions against top engineering programs from around the world.
This past season, our team competed in our final internal combustion competition. Despite facing off against some of the toughest teams in the series, our hard work paid off as we secured a top-10 placement in nearly every category, leading us to an overall 5th place finish. This is the highest finish at FSAE Michigan to date.
Looking ahead, we are excited to build on the accomplishments we made this past season as we enter our first season as a fully electric team. Our new design is underway, and we are working tirelessly to deliver another top-tier performance at next year's competition.
Formula SAE
Formula SAE is a global engineering competition organized by SAE International, where university teams from around the world design and build prototype race cars. With over 500 teams from six continents, Formula SAE is the world's largest engineering competition, bringing together the brightest minds from top engineering schools.
Formula SAE Michigan Competition
Our team’s primary competition is the Formula SAE Michigan event, held annually in June. This event brings together 100 teams from leading engineering schools worldwide, offering a platform to showcase the best in student automotive engineering. Competing teams are evaluated by top engineers and executives from industry giants like General Motors, Ford, Tesla, Stellantis, Rivian, and Magna International.
The competition evaluates teams across multiple critical areas, including engineering design and innovation, cost analysis, speed and performance metrics, vehicle efficiency, and the ability to develop and pitch a compelling business model. This judging approach challenges each team not only to build a high-performing car but also to demonstrate sound engineering and business practices, embodying the full spectrum of skills required in the automotive industry.
Events at Comp
BUSINESS PRESENTATION
Teams must respond to an RFP issued by SAE, which changes annually. Each team must submit a written report, and the top teams will move on to the presentation round. The 10 best presentations will advance to the presentation finals, which will be held in person at the competition.
COST
Teams provide a complete cost breakdown along with detailed build instructions for their Formula car. Additionally, teams must demonstrate an understanding of the manufacturing processes for prototype and large-volume production of their car.
DESIGN
Teams must present the engineering decisions, validation, and testing done on their car. Teams are broken into subsystems of the car, and each subsystem must explain every choice made in designing its parts.
ACCELERATION
75-meter course evaluating the acceleration of the vehicle in a straight line.
AUTOCROSS
.8 km course denoted by cones, to evaluate vehicle maneuverability and handling.
EFFICIENCY
Evaluates the fuel consumption during the endurance event.
ENDURANCE
A 22 km course is used to evaluate the overall performance of the vehicle, testing its durability and reliability.
SKIDPAD
Measures the vehicle's cornering ability while making a constant radius turn.
Cars From Previous Years
Social Media
Follow us on our social media to stay up-to-date with our journey!
Instagram: iowastateformulasae
Facebook: IowaStateFormulaSAE
LinkedIn: FormulaSAEatIowaState
TikTok: isuformulasae
$25
Start Your Engines
It's the little things that make a car move. Your donation helps us purchase essential shop supplies, such as fasteners, fluids, and tools, that keep our build on track.
$50
Circuit Support
You just helped power our low-voltage system! This donation covers connectors, wiring, and other essentials that keep our EV safely running on track.
$75
East Bound and Down
Each day of testing costs $75 to rent the truck. You just helped us get one test day closer to a winning car!
$100
Data Driven
You just helped fund sensors and data collection gear that let us analyze every corner, turn, and lap for peak performance.
$250
Burning Rubber
With the Burning Rubber donation, you are helping to provide the team with one tire!
$500
Stop on a Dime
You just helped to cover the cost of new brake pads and rotors! This gives our drivers the stopping power needed to push harder into every corner.
$750
Aero Addict
This donation helps us purchase various consumables for our aero subsystem, including carbon fiber, resin, foam, and adhesives.
$1,000
Victory Lane
A Victory Lane donation covers most of the cost to rent the truck to take us to our competition. With a donation of this size, you can choose to have a large name or logo displayed on the car, so you will be in Victory Lane with us!