Inside the student-run labs at Hardaway Hall, The University of Alabama’s Crimson Racing team is assembling a high-performance, open-wheel race car as part of a yearlong engineering and manufacturing effort led entirely by undergraduates.
Crimson Racing, UA’s Formula Society of Automotive Engineers, or Formula SAE, team, challenges students to design, build and test a new vehicle from the ground up each academic year, offering hands-on experience that mirrors the workflows of professional motorsport teams.
Hands-On Learning and Cross-Disciplinary Teamwork
Team manager Katie Nash, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in automotive engineering, said the program gives students practical experience that extends far beyond the classroom.
“The practical work performed by our team complements and enhances the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom,” Nash said. “Additionally, students develop skills that are rarely available at the undergraduate level, such as independently designing testing plans.”
Crimson Racing is organized into specialized subteams — such as powertrain, chassis, aerodynamics and electrical — that work together throughout the year to ensure the vehicle meets performance, safety and design benchmarks.
Preparation and In-House Manufacturing
Each summer, the team ramps up for the manufacturing season. Students coordinate schedules, tooling access and deadlines while working out of Hardaway Hall, which houses welding stations, a composites lab and CNC machining equipment.
“Our laboratory facilities support the entire manufacturing process, from welding components to full vehicle assembly,” Nash said. “For more intricate parts, we utilize additional campus resources such as the water jet cutter.”
Students design and machine their own components, fabricate custom parts and handle the full integration of systems, solving real-world engineering challenges in the process.
Professional Experience and Career Preparation
In addition to the technical side of the operation, the team includes business subteams that manage sponsorships, budgets, communications and competition presentations. That experience, Nash said, helps students land jobs and internships.
“Our team members are highly sought after by recruiters due to the hands-on experience they gain,” Nash said.
Crimson Racing also maintains partnerships with industry leaders such as Honda and Mercedes. The team welcomes students from all backgrounds, regardless of prior experience.
“We maintain an open recruitment policy and welcome students regardless of prior experience,” Nash added. “When I joined, I had no prior knowledge, and the team provided comprehensive training to develop my skills.”
National Competition in Michigan
Each May, Crimson Racing competes at the Formula SAE competition in Michigan, an international event where more than 120 university teams showcase their student-built race cars.
“The competition includes dynamic events that assess vehicle performance and static events that evaluate the design and manufacturing process,” Nash said. “These static events also involve cost breakdowns and presentations where we address real-world industry challenges.”
Dynamic events include acceleration, skid pad, autocross and endurance racing, while static events evaluate engineering design, cost analysis and business strategy.
At the 2025 Formula SAE Michigan competition, Crimson Racing finished eighth. The team successfully passed all technical inspections and competed in all four dynamic events.
Crimson Racing was awarded the Cummins Sustainable Power and Performance Excellence Award, taking first place for its innovative vehicle design and commitment to reducing carbon emissions. The team also advanced to the Design Finals for the first time since 2019 and placed seventh in the design event.
Looking ahead, the team plans to continue its work on internal combustion engineering while taking on a new challenge: transitioning to an all-electric powertrain and building Crimson Racing’s first electric vehicle.
A Strong Student Community
Whether working on vehicle dynamics or managing sponsor relationships, team members say the project builds not only skills but lasting bonds.
“This group represents the most dedicated students I have encountered, committing extensive time beyond their academic responsibilities,” Nash said. “Participation is entirely voluntary; our motivation stems from passion for the work. It is truly an exceptional experience.”