Hopes are at an all-time high for the Ohio State Society of Automotive Engineering race team, as it approaches the Formula SAE competition held in May at the Pontiac Silverdome.

The OSU team established itself among the nation’s elite, placing third at the competition in 2001. Regarded as one of the most competitive racing and design competition’s in the world, the Formula SAE competition plays host to over 140 teams. This year OSU will try to make another push for the team title.

“The car is as far along as it has ever been in the past,” said Craig Derian, team captain. “We have changed so many things, and we have improved many things such as weight and horsepower.”

The Formula SAE competition is broken down into two parts, with 65 percent of the competition focusing on the ability of the car.

The other 35 percent of the competition is focused on the knowledge of the car. This forces the team to be organized and understand all facets of the vehicle, as well as have to answer any question asked by the design panel.

Records of every step taken to build the car are kept by team manager Lee Ann Schwope.

“It’s hard being a graduating senior with the responsibility of the completion of this car your shoulders,” Schwope said. “It’s a lot of pressure.”

The year-long project starts in the fall and was completed March 29th when the team put the car on the track for testing.

Since then, the team has tested the car on the Honda Test Track in Marysville, Ohio, Don Scott Airport and the Goodyear Test Track, going from 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds.

Along with reducing weight and increasing speed, the team has continued to make tremendous steps in copper fiber – a slick material that aids in comfort and reduces weight.

However, the most evident characterisitc among the 45-member team is its work ethic. This year’s car was completed the earliest in OSU SAE history.

The car goes through a design, building and testing phase before competition begins in May. Overall, the car goes through over 1500 hours of work.

“We pull late nights here. We’ve even slept here sometimes,” said Casey Putsch, an industrial design major.

“We don’t force anyone to be here, you get out what you put in.”