Formula SAE Lincoln event this week a proving ground for next generation of aerospace engineers

With the season-finale at Lincoln Airpark this week (June 21-24), the Husker Motorsports Formula SAE team will wrap up its 2017 season by hosting the annual season-ending event at Lincoln Airpark this week – Wednesday through Saturday.

This week, 100 university teams will bring their prototype racecars to the Formula SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) competition in Lincoln, where they will be judged on design, manufacturing, performance and business logic.

The aerospace leaders who help judge the contest that starts Wednesday say it's also an opportunity to hear students explain design and production decisions, present their business cases and adapt on the fly.

A Los Angeles Times article also notes that it's an event that allows those industry experts to find the next generation of aerospace engineers to work for their firms.

The Lincoln event, which draws at least 80 university teams from around the world, is renowned for its wide-open spaces and the heat that builds up on the concrete surfaces at the airport.

A team's performance in Friday's final event, the autocross, will determine its placing for Saturday's endurance race – where each of the teams attempts to run as many laps as possible within 30-minutes. The slower cars in the autocross run in Saturday's early endurance session, with the faster cars going in the heat of the afternoon.

Follow the Husker Motorsports Formula SAE team on Facebook and follow Nebraska Engineering on Facebook and Twitter for more updates this week.

2017 FORMULA SAE LINCOLN COMPETITION

When: Wednesday-Saturday.
Where: Lincoln Airpark. Spectators asked to enter the facility at the gate near NW 34th and West Luke streets.
Cost: Admission is free.
Spectator policy and event guides: Can be found at the Formula SAE website 

Events schedule
Wednesday: Tech inspection
Thursday: Static events (business and costs presentations, design) and dynamic events practice.
Friday: Dynamic events – skid pad, acceleration and autocross.
Saturday: Endurance and fuel efficiency.