FAQ
FAQ
Find answers to frequently asked questions below. If you still have questions, direct them to insae@lehigh.edu and we'll be happy to get back to you!
1. How can I get involved as a new member?
Attending the club fair at the beginning of the fall semester is the best way to get involved!
2. How do I contact the club about joining?
Email: insae@lehigh.edu
1. Who drives the car?
It could be you! All major contributing members will get the chance to drive depending on speed and commitment. We have a tryout in order to determine the best and most consistent drivers for competition.
2. How fast does it go?
This car is not built specifically for top speed, but rather for agility and acceleration. The top speed gears out around 70 mph. The car is capable of pulling 2+ G's in corners.
3. What place did you finish in last year?
Lehigh Racing placed 28th out of 107 competing teams in 2025. We placed 1st overall in the efficiency event. We also have seen great year-on-year improvement which we expect to continue as we build our team back up from a loss of knowledge resulting from the COVID years where we were unable to build a car.
4. Why are there no wings on the car?
Coming soon... (eta 2026)
5. What is the difference between Formula SAE and Baja SAE?
Formula SAE builds race cars competing at great speeds on an international scale where every detail counts. Baja SAE builds a lawn mower-powered cart.
6. Do you build the car from scratch?
Yes! We manufacture 90% of the car including the chassis, suspension components,and drivetrain.
7. Can we turbocharge it?
We want to more than you do.
Club Schedule
1. What is the time commitment?
It's the cliche "you get out what you put in." As a first year student you will be expected to come to the Tuesday/Saturday meetings. This will take up 4-6 hours a week at first, but we are flexible with outside obligations. As you become more involved with the team your commitment will definitely increase. The team leaders will be putting in 30-50 hours a week during crunch time.
2. Can I do this and Greek life/Athletics?
Some team members are involved in Greek life/Athletics; they are excellent at time management.
3. Do I have to be an engineer?
No! We have a variety of roles to fill outside of technical engineering roles. We manage our own business operations, social media marketing, and more and we are always looking for a diverse student mix. And we can teach business students how to use a wrench (or weld).
4. Do I have to wear protective equipment?
In the shop, you will be required to wear safety glasses, pants, and closed toed shoes. Safety glasses are provided, you had best bring your own pants.
5. Do I get course credit for FSAE?
No, but FSAE is a great way to gain experiential learning that you won’t find in the classroom, and is also a place to do real engineering which is very important to many employers. FSAE is also sponsored by almost all major aerospace and automotive companies and is a soft requirement for many major automakers. Many of these companies recruit directly out of FSAE.
1. Do I have to know about cars?
No. Many of the most important team members knew nothing about cars prior to joining. As you begin to design you will start picking it up through the experience alone. We also have great resources for introducing people to the automotive industry.
2. How do I join a subteam?
By showing interest! Talk to the team leads and ask them questions about what they are working on and they are likely to involve you.
3. How easy is it for a first year to be involved?
With a few simple steps, very easy: show up, ask questions, and take pride in your work (always). You will be quickly noticed and given new tasks, or bring something new to the team. We love new ideas.