From tiger stripes to racing stripes

Formula SAE students stand next to their racecar.

The University of Missouri College of Engineering and its Formula SAE team is revving up for this year’s competition season. Earlier this month, the team revealed its open-wheel, single-seater 2023 competition car to family, friends and other engineering students at MU.

A photo of the 2023 Mizzou Formula SAE compeition car.

Students on the Mizzou Racing Formula SAE Team get the chance to design and develop a fully-functioning, quarter-scale Formula 1 race car and perform in national competitions like one happening later this month in Michigan.

A close up shot of the body of the Mizzou formula SAE car

Sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers, Formula SAE is an over 40-year-old racing and design competition. Each year, more than 600 teams from more than 20 countries design and build a Formula 1-style car.

A formula SAE car with a list of sponsors displayed on the body

Mizzou’s Formula Team works with a variety of sponsors and donors to help fund the building of their car. Sponsors include local and national businesses, some providing the team with materials and equipment, as well as Mizzou families and alumni.

Formula SAE provides students with hands on experiences in engineering. The team is divided into groups that each focus on developing a different component of the car, such as the electronic system, the frame, the suspension and the aerodynamics.

During the fall and spring semesters, Mizzou’s team works to improve upon the previous year’s model. In May and June, the team travels out of state to compete in events alongside teams from other universities around the world.

the back of the Mizzou Formula SAE racecar

Last year, the team found success in several of their competitions, placing within the top 20 teams at multiple events. The team placed 19th out of about 100 teams at the Michigan International Speedway in May 2022. A month later, the team went on to place 14th out of 50 in one competition and then landed in the top six at two more events.

a tight shot of the body of the 2023 Mizzou formula SAE car.

In addition to providing valuable engineering experience, students on the Formula SAE team gain skills such as team collaboration, time management and budgeting.

From tiger stripes to racing stripes

Related Stories

University of Missouri leads national research to support U.S. cover crop seed industry

Photo Gallery: January photos of the month

Mizzou 2025: A year in photos

Photo gallery: December photos of the month