Meet Bruin Formula Racing

Hi all! We are Bruin Formula Racing, UCLA’s Formula SAE racing team, and every year we design, manufacture, test, and race our formula-style car against teams from around the world in the competition put on by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to encourage the hands-on application of engineering principles taught in our classes. Just like the teams you see in Formula 1, we have an entire team of innovative engineers, business and marketing specialists, and administrative powerhouses. But what makes it even more incredible…it’s ALL run by full time students excelling in both the classroom and on track!

Last year, with the INCREDIBLE support of our donors, our Mk. 10 vehicle was able to compete at Michigan International Speedway in the Formula SAE EV Competition. Team history was made, scoring an organization high in the engineering design event as well as passing the EV Active technical inspection for the first time in team history. This was not possible without the amazing generosity of our donors and support system! We are thrilled to return in the next year, hungry to build upon the successes of last year and accomplish even more.

In June of 2026, our new car, Mk. 11, will return to the Speedway to race in the Electric Vehicle Formula SAE competition once again! We are beyond thrilled to bring all of our experience, passion, and innovation into Mk. 11. Due to this new venture, we need your support to help finish Mk. 11 and help get our amazing members out to competition!

As a student organization, fundraising is the backbone of our organization's success. Bruin Formula Racing is committed to the education and enrichment of our members. We designed our organization to bring accessible hands-on experience, project-based learning, and high caliber engineering education to all, and therefore we do not charge any membership fees. However, a project of this scale requires immense financial resources. We are extremely grateful to the many university funds, generous sponsors, and private donors supporting this year’s vehicle. Your donations will go toward purchasing components and services to complete our vehicle, and help get our members to competition!

Our Story

Bruin Formula Racing (BFR) was founded in 2012 and is one of UCLA's premier engineering organizations. We provide UCLA students with the opportunity to develop hands-on skills that complement the conceptual lessons taught in the classroom. Students learn to think critically about design choices, present their ideas to a panel of professional industry engineers, and propose creative solutions to the unique challenges that accompany engineering projects. The competition provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to work in a high-stress, high-stakes environment that simulates the engineering industry, where we test our vehicles and validate results from the numerous races we compete in. BFR alumni go on to work at some of the world’s best engineering companies, applying what they learned at BFR and engineering the solutions of tomorrow!

Visit us at our website bruinformula.com, and follow us on Instagram @bruinformula and TikTok @bruinformula to stay updated with the team!