For the past four years, the University’s chapter of the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers has steadily improved its standings in the annual competition. This year the team notched big gains, jumping from 67th place last year to 49th this year, cracking the top 50 for the first time. 122 teams participated, with 107 of them ranking.
“To see Hartford Racing's improvement over the years leading up to the success of this year's work has been truly inspiring,” says Mick Spencer ’22, the technical advisor and a past member of the team. “The amount of dedication, passion, and engineering talent that is on the team has come a long way, and the scores tell the story.”
The competition, sanctioned by the Society of Automotive Engineers, challenges students to spend 8-12 months designing and fabricating their cars, which are then judged in a series of events over four days. Cars are judged in eight categories, and the UHart team improved in five of them.
Mick Spencer '22, FSAE Technical Advisor“This team is hands down the best way to kickstart your career with real work experience. The students build incredible engineering, communication, project management, teamwork, and hands-on skills you just can't get anywhere else. Being heavily involved on the team is like a golden ticket to any job you can dream of.”
The main event is the endurance test, which features two drivers taking the car a total of ten laps – and this year, UHart’s team scored well enough to qualify for the Efficiency category for the first time.
“Leading this team has been the most meaningful part of my college experience,” said Frederick Marshall ’25, the team’s captain and powertrain lead. “This team gave me so much more than I ever expected: lifelong friends, priceless lessons, and memories I'll carry forever.”
FSAE is one of the most immersive clubs UHart has to offer, and participants come from a variety of majors. Spencer says they’re not just building a car – they’re building their own futures.
“This team is hands down the best way to kickstart your career with real work experience,” Spencer says. “The students build incredible engineering, communication, project management, teamwork, and hands-on skills you just can't get anywhere else. Being heavily involved on the team is like a golden ticket to any job you can dream of.”