The UConn Formula SAE team had a record-breaking competition season, achieving top-five finishes in both vehicles, making it the number one team in the country to do so.
The student team designs, builds, and races a Formula-style car, while developing the engineers and leaders that move it forward. For the second year, the team built and tested a traditional combustion-powered vehicle, and an electric vehicle.
The UConn Formula SAE team competed in two national competitions at Michigan International Speedway this summer.
In May, the team participated in the FSAE Internal Combustion Competition, placing 4th overall out of 111 teams.
Later in June, the team participated in the FSAE Electric Vehicle Competition, placing 5th overall out of 89 teams.
Considering these two wins together, the team is the top finisher in the United States.
“Formula SAE has been one of the most valuable parts of my engineering education,” says outgoing team president and engineering student Jake Gannon. “It challenges you to think beyond the classroom, work through real engineering problems, and collaborate with an amazing team. I’m incredibly proud of what we accomplished this season, and I know the foundation we’ve built will help the team continue to succeed in the years ahead.”
At the IC competition, the team had the following results: 9th in cost presentation; 80 points in design presentation, 3rd in business presentation; 4.465 seconds in acceleration; 5.092 seconds in skidpad, and 6th place in autocross.
At the EV competition, the team placed: 7th in endurance; 5th in autocross; 4th in skidpad;17th in acceleration; 4th in efficiency; 5th in business presentation; and 5th in cost presentation.
“The Formula SAE team embodies the hands-on, experiential learning that defines our programs,” says School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering director Horea Ilies. “Their success reflects not only their engineering talent, but also their ability to innovate, collaborate, and solve complex problems—qualities that prepare them to become leaders in the engineering profession.”
The team is open to all students, and has succeeded with the help of students from all disciplines including engineering, business, finance, marketing, and more.
“Formula SAE gives students an opportunity to apply most of the knowledge they’ve gained in the classrooms to a real engineering challenge,” says faculty advisor Wajid Chishty. “From design and manufacturing to testing and competition, every success is earned through teamwork, persistence, and technical excellence. Seeing our students compete at such a high level is incredibly rewarding.”
As the team prepares for the next school year, new members are welcomed to join. More information about the team is available online.
