Race Ready
Comprising dedicated and enthusiastic individuals, Black Bear Racing undertakes the annual task of designing and building a formula-style race car. Each year, our engineering design teams employ tools commonly found in the professional world, utilizing cutting-edge techniques to craft a high-performance FSAE race car. The collective passion and commitment drive us to push the boundaries and strive for innovation in every aspect of our project.
In the pursuit of excellence, the team places a strong emphasis on utilizing industry-standard tools and methodologies. The engineering design teams, comprised of passionate individuals, consistently explore new ideas and advancements to enhance the performance and design of our FSAE race car. This commitment to pushing the boundaries ensures that our team remains at the forefront of innovation in the competitive realm of formula-style racing.
Join Us!
Want to come see what it’s all about? Join us for the weekly full team meeting!
Contact
Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center, Room 106
Every Thursday from 5–6 PM
FSAE AND THE TEAM
Formula SAE (FSAE) is a global collegiate engineering competition where student teams design, build, and race small-scale formula-style cars. The annual event includes dynamic races and evaluates design, cost efficiency, and business presentation skills. FSAE provides hands-on experience, fostering teamwork and project management skills for future careers in the automotive industry.
The competition challenges students to apply engineering concepts practically, promoting creativity and problem-solving. It integrates various disciplines, encouraging collaboration among students with diverse expertise in mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as business administration. Formula SAE offers a comprehensive educational experience, preparing students for success in automotive engineering beyond traditional classroom learning.
Divisions
Aero
The Aerodynamics division, “aero” for short, is responsible for the components of the car that harness the air around the moving vehicle. The cornerstones of the aero package are the rear wing, front wing, and undertray. Aero division members utilize and gain experience with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to analyze how their components interact with the air around the car. They also obtain valuable experience with composite manufacturing, using methods such as wet and pre-preg carbon fiber layups and CNC machining.
Power Unit
The Power Unit division is responsible for the vehicle’s engine and all of the subsystems that harness the power it generates. Division members are involved with every part of the system, from engine tuning to cooling design. The Power Unit division collaborates to maintain a working engine dyno that allows us to develop tuning packages and test the engine without the required overhead of running the full car.
Chassis
The Chassis division is responsible for the chassis of the vehicle, as well as the ergonomics and braking subsystems. Members work closely with the other engineering divisions to design a chassis that meets global design goals and provides structural rigidity and mounting for other core components. Division members gain real-world experience with modeling components in SolidWorks, jigging and manufacturing a vehicle chassis, and interdisciplinary technical communication.
Manufacturing and Testing
91±¬ÁĎ SAE’s Manufacturing & Testing division, functioning as the team’s R&D arm, integrates expertise from Aero, Chassis, Power Unit, and Suspension disciplines. They tackle continuous improvement by developing and testing innovative solutions for the following season’s car. This immersive experience allows members to explore various technical areas, identifying their specific interests for specialization. Moreover, it provides an immediate hands-on opportunity, bypassing the initial design phase, and immersing them directly in car development.
Suspension
The Suspension division is a combination of geometric suspension design and Vehicle Dynamics testing and tuning. This sub-team is responsible for how the car handles and controlling the interactions between the tires and the ground. From setting spring/damping rates and adjusting alignments to mathematically solving for wheel kinematics, the Suspension Division is a perfect fit for those who enjoy getting their hands dirty and making on-the-fly adjustments based on driver feedback to those who would rather perform simulations and create models on computers.
Our Sponsors
Black Bear Racing thrives on the dedication of our donors and sponsors. Their invaluable contributions fuel our Formula SAE car, fostering student collaboration with industry professionals and propelling us to be a top national team. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we deeply appreciate their partnership, empowering our members and fueling our passion for innovation and excellence.
