MSU Formula SAE prepares for 2015 Season
April 14, 2015
STARKVILLE, Miss. – After countless hours in the fabrication and mechanics labs, an eager Mississippi State University Formula Society of Automotive Engineers team plans to make a name for itself in this year’s international competition at the Michigan International Speedway.
As the world’s largest collegiate design competition, the May 13-16 event pits more than 120 teams against each other in a battle of design, performance and engineering skill.
Building on past success, the 23 interdisciplinary members on this year’s Mississippi State team hope to earn the team’s strongest finish in institution history.
“This year, we have focused on building a well engineered, reliable racecar that will withstand the rigors of competition and serve as a solid foundation for our future vehicles,” team leader Brandon Warner said. “With a robust racecar, we will be able to complete the endurance portion of our competition, helping us achieve our goal of placing top 20.”
The annual FSAE student competition tasks university teams with designing an efficient, high performance autocross racecar that would be affordable for an average amateur competitor. These attributes are tested through a series of performance exercises, including time trials, acceleration, skidpad and endurance, and presentations meant to outline the teams’ approach to design and consideration of dynamic performance, manufacturability, serviceability and marketability.
The Mississippi State Formula SAE program began in 1996. It was revived in 2006 after an extended hiatus and has competed continuously since the 2011-12 academic year. It has consistently placed in the top 50 percent of competitors. However, the team has aspirations of becoming a top 10 program. To achieve this goal, the team has increased its use of specialized equipment available through campus laboratories, faculty expertise and advice from alumni and donors who have experience in the field.
Follow the team’s progress on Facebook at Mississippi State Formula SAE, on Twitter at MSU_FSAE and on Instagram at MSpeed_FSAE.
Photos of the team can be found here.
