Refer here for more info - updated 2022 website https://www.RutgersFormulaRacing.com/
Rutgers Formula Racing (previously known as Rutgers Formula SAE) is a collegiate club within the Rutgers University School of Engineering which competes in the Formula SAE Design Series.
History by Year
1989
Rutger's Formula Team organized and several members attended the 1989 event at South West Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. Design of the first car began in the Fall of 1989 alongside fund raising activities. Ford Motor Company was the first monetary supporter of the team with a $5000. Dean Dill soon followed with a donation from the school's Alumni Association fund. SAE Metropolitan Section was another key early sponsor that got Rutger's FSAE program going. SAE's shop took residence in a cleaned up section of the boiler room off of the main MAE lab. Also during this same time frame, Rutger's MAE department bought a new Bridgeport Mill and Harrison Lathe.
1990
Major design and fabrication work on the first car was completed in 1990. The car utilized a Ninja 600 engine and 10 inch wheels. Wheelbase was 61 inches and the track was 60 inches front 58 inches rear. The car was not ready for the 1990 competition; however, the rolling chassis was brought to the event which was held at Lawrence Tech.
1991
The 1991 competition was held at the GM Proving Grounds aka "Black Lake." This was the first entry for a Rutgers car into the Formula SAE competition. A modified Ford ECU was being used to control the engine, but it never really worked. The car never ran on its own power with this ECU installed.
This car won the "Best Suspension Award" which was judged by Terry Satchell. Bill Mitchell's suspension software was awarded to the team.
1992
The 1992 Formula SAE competition was held at Ford's Research and Engineering campus in Dearborn, MI. The 1991 car was updated with an Electromotive ECU. Approximately 60 hours of dyno testing was performed on this motor and numerous track sessions. Rear wheel Hp was 73. This car earned 3rd Place in Acceleration. The car completed all events except the second heat of endurance due to the failure of a suspension linkage eye end.
1993
Rutgers did not compete in the Formula SAE competition in 1993.
1994
Rutgers entered its first carbon fiber monocoque in the 1994 competition at the Pontiac Silverdome. The front half of the car was constructed of pre-preg carbon fiber with a Nomex honeycomb core. 3 sandwich panel aluminum bulkheads were used to mount the front suspension and master cylinders. The rear half of the car was constructed of 4130 steel tubing. One of the most dramatic features of the car was the use of very long lower A-Arms. They were so long, that there was only about 1 inch of space between the left and right mounts on the chassis. The composite construction made use of very simple molds made primarily from sheetmetal and wood. There were no compound curves to any of the molds for the monocoque. Shifting was performed by steering wheel push buttons via pneumatics (an FSAE first). The brakes used 200mm OD cast iron vented rotors. The engine was a naturally aspirated Kawasaki Ninja 600R, making 73 RWHp. Result Highlights: Presentation - 7th Place, Design - 13th Place, Acceleration - 13th Place, Skid Pad - 5th Place, Autocross - 3rd Place, Endurance - 7th Place (22 Cones and 3 spin outs), Economy - 6th, Overall - 9th This car earned the "Best Prototype Fabrication Award"
1995
Car #9 - This was the second year entry of the 1994 car. Carbon fiber wheels were custom built for the car.
1995 Competition Results: Cost: 31 points Presentation: 14.2 points Design: 82 points Acceleration: 46.25 points Skid pad: 34.4 points Autocross: 130.4 points Endurance: 171.1 points Economy: 22.5 points Overall: 22nd / 531.9 points
1996
Rutgers did not compete in the Formula SAE competition in 1996.
1997
Car #68
1997 Competition Results: Cost: 54.53 points Presentation: 60.5 points Design: 110 points Acceleration: DNF Skid pad: 5.59 points Autocross: 45.0 points Endurance: 153.0 points Overall: 22nd / 428.67 points