What is Terps Racing?

  • Posted on: 19 August 2019
  • By: Formula

Terps Racing is an organization of over 120 students that design, build, test, and race a formula-style racecar, an electric formula-style racecar, and a baja-style offroad vehicle in collegiate design competitions each year. Terps Racing is made up of four teams: Formula SAE, Formula SAE Electric, Baja SAE, and a Business Operations Team. 

Formula SAE and Formula SAE Electric are collegiate competitions that challenge students to design, build, and race a formula style race car. Baja SAE has a similar competition structure to formula, but the goal is to design, build, and race an off-road vehicle that will survive the severe punishment of rough terrain. During competition, industry professionals scrutinize every facet of the car’s design—from marketability and cost to performance and engineering.  Students are engaged through hands-on experience, team-building, collaboration, and much more.

Through the design, build, and testing process, students gain experience in computer aided design (CAD) modeling, finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), design analysis and testing, and leadership skills. The process culminates at competition: the formula cars are put to the test through a series of dynamic challenges - acceleration, skidpad, autocross, and endurance. The baja car faces suspension, maneuverability, towing, and endurance challenges.  If you want to learn more about automotive engineering and are ready to work hard, come join us!