The Formula SAE competition (formed in USA) is for SAE student members to conceive, design, fabricate, and compete with small formula-style racing cars. The restrictions on the car frame and engine are limited so that the knowledge, creativity, and imagination of the student are challenged. The cars are built with a team effort over a period of about one year and are taken to a host institution for judging and comparison with other competitors. The end result is a great experience for young engineers in a meaningful engineering project as well as the opportunity of working in a dedicated team effort.

For the purpose of this competition, the students are to assume that a manufacturing firm has engaged them to produce a prototype car for evaluation as a production team. The intended sales market is the nonprofessional weekend autocross racer. Therefore, the car must have very high performance in terms of its acceleration, braking, and handling qualities. The car must be low in cost, easy to maintain, and reliable. In addition, the car's marketability is enhanced by other factors such as aesthetics, comfort and use of common parts. The manufacturing firm is planning to produce 1000 cars per year at a cost below A$50,000. The challenge to the design team is to design and fabricate a prototype car that best meets these goals and intents. Each design will be compared and judged with other competing designs to determine the best overall car.

The cars are judged in three different categories: static inspection and engineering design, solo performance trials, and high performance track endurance. These events are scored to determine how well the car performs. In each event, the manufacturing firm has specified minimum acceptable performance levels that are reflected in the scoring equations. The following points are possible:

Presentation 75 Engineering Design 150 Cost Analysis 100 Acceleration 75 Skid-Pad Event 50 Autocross Event 150 Fuel Economy Event 50 Endurance Track Event 350 Total Points 1000

• Enhancing employment prospects
• Preparing students for the work force
• Contributing to the development of engineers - "project trained" - "hands-on" engineers
• Encouraging experience in cost effective innovation and creativity
• Emphasis on the importance of reliability
• Professional development
  • Team building
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Project management
  • Networking
  • General and Financial management
  • Sponsorship and communication skills
  • Customer relations
  • To be competitive
• Identifying high achieving potential employees.