The Project

The University of Adelaide FSAE project is an ongoing project offered and supported by the Faculty of Engineering, Computer & Mathematical Sciences.

Both the School of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering participate in this annual competition through the involvement of their students in an honours project:  the engineering design and manufacture of a vehicle to contend in the Formula SAE competition.

The project, which is aimed at developing a prototype vehicle for the weekend autocross racer market, is focused on reliability, safety, continuous improvement and competitive performance. It requires that students utilise their research and analytical abilities to create engineering solutions that comply with the competition rules and regulations.

The team is responsible for the research, design, manufacturing, testing and presentation of the vehicle, as well as the management and financial aspects of the project. Complete CAD modelling and extensive Finite Element Analysis is undertaken by the team during design. Advanced manufacturing processes are used to ensure the final product meets design specifications, and that the vehicle is ready to win. Each team must raise money to finance the manufacture and operation of the vehicle.

A professional approach must be taken throughout every phase of the competition to ensure that the team operates as a successful business operation, rather than just an engineering team.

Students attending The University of Adelaide who wish to get involved please contact the Managing Director, the contact details can by found on the Contact Us page.

The Competition

Formula SAE is a global automotive design and manufacture competition run since 1981 by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

The competition involves both Static and Dynamic rewarded events. The static events require the team to discuss and justify both the engineering design and the cost of the vehicle and its separate components. The judges evaluate these aspects and score the team accordingly.

There are four separate dynamic events conducted over a two day period at the Formula SAE competition, each of which are evaluated by time. The skid pan event evaluates the vehicle’s lateral cornering ability, whilst acceleration benchmarks the vehicles power, torque and weight. The autocross and endurance events are longer circuit style events that test the vehicle’s speed, steering ability and reliability. The fuel economy of the vehicle is also ranked and is becoming increasingly important.

The Formula-SAE Australasia competition is held in Werribee, Melbourne at the end of the year. The University of Adelaide FSAE Team attends this event each year, competing against other teams from Australia and around the world

Formula SAE is a worldwide competition, with events held in the United States, UK, Australia, Germany, Japan, Brazil and Italy. For more details about the competition, please see the Formula SAE – Australasia website.