Formula SAE Build

[bbalch404]

So as a winter project I am thinking of building a Formula SAE car. If you aren't familiar with what Formula SAE is, it is a collegiate competition where schools build basically a mini F1 car; motorcycle engine, open wheel, etc. Similar to Formula 500 (or 600 whichever it is). I did a project similar to it in college except it was an off-road car (Baja SAE). I see that the SCCA has a class for these cars as a subcategory of AM but before I invest the time and money into this I want to see if there would be a problem running a car like this at local events around here. Anyone have any input, recommendations, or experience with a build like this? Thanks!

 

[1slowcrx]

Shouldn't be any problems running an SAE car locally. We've had them out before.

For the money and effort, you really should look into AM.

[bbalch404]

Yea I was reading the SCCA rule book and it sounds like if I want to build a Formula SAE car but don't want to follow all the rules (mainly the displacement limit and the restriction on the intake) it would be classified under Special and would still run with AM. Is that correct? I would still want to follow all of the safety guidelines as I don't want to build a death trap. I mainly want to do this as a fun project but I want to make sure I can actually use it once I build it lol.

[tedebayer]

Don't know if this would help but a few things...
1.) I know Clemson had several old SAE cars. They tend to keep a few of most recent but eventually sell off the older ones for money for newest car build. Sponsorship is hard to get... some of the teams have BIG sponsors. Might contact several of the schools around and see if they have one to part with.
2.) The A Mod car rules are pretty solid... easy to follow. They don't cut corners... lot of stories about a lightened flywheel coming out of the engine in the old days. LOL
The biggest obstacle is changing chassis to meet the rules... can be done but some challenge. You used to be able to go around the rules on chassis with a sign off by a PE but I think they did away with that some where along the line. (See George Bowland's old BBR Shark).
3. We do allow specials in Time Trial and Hillclimb... rules are on www.sedivtt.com at upper left tab. The narrower wheel base on the SAE cars tend to make them spin forever if they get away from you. We have not had one at a hillclimb in the SE in a long while but.. they do show up in the Northern hillclimbs.
4. One other note - the objective is for the SAE to complete the weekend. That being the objective... a lot is made to "serve for a short period" as opposed to racing or continued use. For example : on one car, the fluid chamber on master cylinder was a clear rubber tube 2 inches long with a cap on it. it held just enough fluid for the driver to actuate the clutch. On it's last run, tube popped off and made a mess. The clutches are light duty. A arms thin and light. The suspension is made to be VERY light... get car through each of the events and the last one is the enduro (complete X number of laps). An amazing percent of the car break before they finish even half. Bear in mind, you will have to rebuild a lot of these subsystems as your goal is something more dependable and durable. I have 2 friends who are rebuilding a former SAE car... if you'd like their contact info, PM me.