Formula SAE 2023

Formula SAE is a collegiate design series created to prepare students for future employment as engineers. Here at CSUN, it is a capstone project for Mechanical Engineering majors. Every mechanical engineering student takes all the classes necessary to graduate that teaches the textbook theory on math, science, physics, thermodynamics etc. This is where the students can take all the knowledge they’ve gained over their college career and apply it to a hands-on, real-world product. In this case, the product is a single-seat open-wheel race car. The team acts as an engineering company designing, fabricating, testing, and competing a prototype vehicle. This in-depth and hands-on educational program develops the knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving abilities of engineering students by enabling them to draw upon their years of education to answer a complex, real-world design and manufacturing challenge. Matador Motorsports attracts the most hardworking, motivated, and results-oriented engineering students produced by CSUN.

This season’s competition will be held at Michigan International Speedway in May 2023, where we will be up against 120 other schools. Matador Motorsports has performed competitively throughout its history: 5th place overall in 2021, 7th in 2007 and 2017, and 6th in the 2018 Design Competition. This was due to our ultra-lightweight vehicle concept, where we weighed as little as 330 lbs. A full 50 lbs lighter than the next competitor! After achieving 5th place in 2021, we decided that the program has exhausted the development route of focusing on the Colin Chapman school of thought, where being lightweight is the highest priority. Obviously, being lighter is always best, but due to some of the rule changes and where the competition is moving, Matador Motorsports is moving to a more powerful, but heavier, 4-cylinder engine. While the new engine is heavier, it makes twice as much power, but crucially, it is not twice as heavy. Our foundation is strong, and we intend to improve our performance dramatically at the competition this year. We are aiming for a top-three position overall.

The resources necessary to design, manufacture, tune, and train to be competitive are immense. We have estimated that a total budget of $70,000 is required to create an internal combustion vehicle with the capability to place in the top 3. While the university graciously provides $10,000 to the team, that leaves Matador Motorsports with a substantial $60,000 to raise. This is why we are reaching out to you! We hope to partner with you in this endeavor, as your investment will contribute to maintaining an educational program of the highest quality. Additionally, this program is run through the CSUN Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, making any and all cash or in-kind sponsorships charitable donations.

With this in mind, we humbly ask your consideration of the sponsorship opportunities. If you would like to discuss a custom sponsorship arrangement, please do not hesitate to reach out as we would be excited to discuss any possibility.

Thank you sincerely for your time and consideration.