Entries are evaluated on a 1,000-point scale, with most events worth between 50 and 150 points and 350 points for the endurance race. To win, you have to keep the weighting of the events in mind. If you add, say, a turbocharger, that will improve your acceleration score but it will also increase the manufacturing cost. The course spans both fall and spring terms, with an emphasis on research and design in the fall and building in the spring. Building the car starts late in the fall term, continues for several weeks during winter break and, ideally, is finished by early April, although it often continues right up until the competition.
Alumni also donate.
We start from scratch and build a brand new car each year. Often there are similarities, but there are also things we're always re-evaluating. With every choice, the students come up with several alternatives. Some might be the same as the previous year. Some might be a little different or completely new.