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Comment by elromulous | Hacker News Reader

Is this for some kind of [European?] [electric?] Formula SAE equivalent?

I took part in formula SAE ~20 years ago! Some of the first and most rewarding engineering work I've done.

Yes, or maybe more accurately - we are the American equivalent of Formula SAE Germany. The German teams are significantly more advanced and better funded, with some of the teams running custom built electric inhub motors (something that's unheard of here in the US)

I am currently on San Jose States Formula SAE team - we merged our electric and combustion teams last year to go all electric since it's where the stiffest competition exists. If we could secure sponsorships we'd love to take our car to Germany!

Formula Student Germany has been leading the rules for the electric and driverless since their inception. There is a meeting every few years at the FSG event to align some rules for the different global student competitions. There was one this year again. (Source: I'm in the timekeeping team/organisation, to the driverless cars: please stop destroying our gear)

I didn't know San Jose State had enough money to run an team like this.

Unless I'm mistaken, aren't Formula teams expensive? the cars get rebuilt often, I imagine its no different with electric (less to rebuild, perhaps, but anything mechanical would need to be)

Thats awesome though!

It's definitely expensive, and sponsor aquisition is always a success factor as in every racing league.

Yes but you ignore the bit where you're making a car affordable to the common man

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