Formula SAE International Student Chapter 2026
Description
Requested Funding
This season, we are seeking to raise $10,000 to support a necessary powertrain transition for our electric vehicle. During our first season competing as an EV team, we encountered significant challenges with our motor and inverter. Ultimately, our inverter failed completely and is no longer functional, making a new motor and inverter package necessary for the upcoming season.
Our Powertrain subsystem has selected a replacement package and worked with suppliers to determine the path forward. The transition is expected to cost approximately $12,000, representing a substantial investment for our team. Our $10,000 fundraising goal will help cover this expense while preserving our available budget for the other systems and projects needed to complete the car.
Every contribution helps us overcome this challenge, continue developing our electric vehicle, and prepare for another season of competition. We greatly appreciate your support in helping Iowa State Formula SAE make this transition possible!
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 consists of eight subsystems: Aerodynamics, Business, Chassis, Controls, Electrical, Final Drive, Powertrain, and Suspension. Together, we design, manufacture, and test a new prototype race car each year to compete against leading engineering programs from around the world.
With over 200 dues-paying members for the 2026-27 season, we are building our 30th car and entering our second season as a fully electric team. Following the transition to electric power, our team is focused on refining our design, improving power performance, and reducing vehicle weight as we continue developing our engineering capabilities.
During our first electric competition season, we faced the challenges of developing a new electric vehicle and manufacturing our first fully carbon-fiber monocoque chassis. Although we were unable to pass technical inspection before the competition deadline, our team demonstrated significant engineering potential. We placed in the top 20 in the Design event, earned a near-perfect Aerodynamics Design score, and finished third for the Cummins Sustainable Power and Performance Excellence Award.
These accomplishments give us a strong foundation to build upon. As we develop our next vehicle, we are applying the lessons learned from our first electric season to improve our design, manufacturing, and testing processes. With another year of experience and a continued commitment to engineering innovation, we are working toward an even stronger performance at the upcoming Formula SAE Michigan competition.
Formula SAE
Formula SAE is an international engineering competition organized by SAE International. University teams design, manufacture, and test prototype race cars, applying classroom knowledge to real-world engineering challenges. Students work across technical and business disciplines to develop vehicles that are evaluated by industry professionals through engineering design presentations, cost analysis, and dynamic performance events.
Beyond building a competitive car, Formula SAE challenges students to develop the technical, project management, manufacturing, and teamwork skills needed to succeed in the automotive industry.
Formula SAE Michigan Competition
Our team's primary competition is Formula SAE Michigan, held annually in June at Michigan International Speedway. The event brings together approximately 100 university teams to showcase their vehicles and compete across engineering design, cost analysis, business presentation, and dynamic performance events.
Teams are evaluated by experienced engineers and industry professionals on their design decisions, manufacturing processes, vehicle performance, and ability to develop a competitive and well-engineered product. The competition challenges students to apply the entire engineering process, from initial design and analysis through manufacturing, testing, and competition.
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 energy 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
CR-30 - Team's first Electric Vehicle
CR-28 - 5th Place finish FSAE IC Michigan 2025
CR-27
CR-24
CR-22 - 5th Place FSAE Lincoln 2017
Social Media
Follow us on our social media to stay up-to-date with our journey!
Instagram: iowastateformulasae
Facebook: IowaStateFormulaSAE
LinkedIn: FormulaSAEatIowaState
TikTok: isuformulasae
$50
Start Your Engines
It's the little things that make a car move. Your donation could help us purchase essential shop supplies, such as fasteners, fluids, and tools, that keep our build on track.
$100
Data Driven
With a $100 donation, you could help 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 could help provide the team with one tire!
$500
Stop on a Dime
You could help cover the cost of new brake pads and rotors! This gives our drivers the stopping power needed to push harder into every corner.
$1,000
Podium Partner
A $1,000 donation would bring us 10% closer to our fundraising goal and help fund one of our vehicle's key subsystems: Controls, Final Drive, Chassis, or Suspension. Your contribution would help cover the parts, materials, and manufacturing costs needed to design and build these systems throughout the season. As a thank-you, you would receive a medium logo placement on our vehicle to recognize your support!
$2,500
Victory Lane
A $2,500 donation would bring us 25% of the way toward our fundraising goal and cover the cost of team transportation to competition! Your support would have a direct impact on our season by helping get our team and vehicle to the track. As a thank-you, you would receive a large logo placement on our vehicle, giving us the opportunity to recognize your support throughout the season.
