UC Irvine Giving Day

Who We Are

Here at Anteater Formula Racing (AFR), our mission is to empower engineering students with real-world experience, equipping them with professional skills and practices essential for success in their future careers. Through hands-on involvement in designing, building and optimizing Formula SAE race cars, students gain invaluable insight into all types of engineering. We are making sure that our engineers are learning the skills to tackle challenges they will face in industry, refine their problem-solving abilities and hone their technical expertise beyond UC Irvine!

Progress Report

Since our fall 2025 ZotFunder campaign closed, Anteater Formula Racing has made significant progress transitioning from design into full manufacturing of our 2025–26 vehicle, Banshee. Our chassis is now fully welded and painted, allowing our team to begin assembling the rolling platform. Suspension components are currently in production, including control arms and CNC-machined parts, while our electronics team has begun installing the wiring harness and validating steering wheel and paddle shifter integration. Our powertrain team has continued engine preparation, completed fabrication work including gas tank manufacturing and resolved critical mounting and cooling system challenges. Vehicle dynamics teams have also begun sensor integration and hardware assembly. The aerodynamics team has made steady progress manufacturing key components, including completing endplate fabrication, beginning airfoil layups, machining critical parts such as the seat, developing tab fixtures to ensure accurate mounting and integration of aerodynamic elements onto the vehicle. These milestones represent a major shift from planning to physical assembly, bringing us significantly closer to a fully operational vehicle.

However, there are still critical expenses ahead to complete manufacturing, testing, and competition preparation. Remaining funds will directly support machining, composite materials, electrical hardware, fasteners, and subsystem components necessary to safely and reliably operate the vehicle. Funding will also support track testing, which is essential for validating vehicle safety, performance and reliability before competition. Each track testing day costs approximately $200, and our team plans to conduct at least 4–5 testing sessions prior to Formula SAE Michigan. These sessions allow us to identify mechanical issues, tune vehicle performance, validate sensor systems and ensure the car is ready for competition.

In addition, funding is needed to complete the vehicle’s final presentation, including producing our livery design, ordering sponsor decals and purchasing necessary tools and materials to properly finish composite surfaces such as carbon fiber. This includes sanding tools, finishing supplies and mounting materials to ensure a professional and competition-ready appearance. A polished final vehicle not only reflects the engineering quality of our work but also represents UC Irvine and our sponsors on an international stage.

Additional funding supports travel, lodging and logistics so our team can compete at the 2026 Formula SAE Michigan competition at Michigan International Speedway. Your continued support directly enables our team to complete the build, perform real-world testing, finalize vehicle presentation and represent UC Irvine on an international stage.

Your Support So Far

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Anteater Formula Racing raised over $10,000 during our fall 2025 ZotFunder campaign. These funds have already been used to support critical components of our vehicle and competition preparation.

Approximately $3,000 was used to secure our official registration for the 2026 Formula SAE Michigan competition, ensuring our team has a place to compete at the international level. Around $5,000 was invested in our Yamaha R6 engine, which serves as the foundation of our powertrain and is one of the most essential systems of the vehicle. An additional $500 has been allocated toward sensors and electronics, allowing us to collect real-time performance data and validate vehicle safety and functionality. Over $600 was used to manufacture our chassis fixture, a critical tool that ensures the frame is assembled accurately and consistently.

Additional funds have supported manufacturing supplies, fasteners, mechanical components, electrical hardware and subsystem fabrication. These purchases directly enable our team to continue building and assembling the vehicle safely and efficiently. Every dollar raised has contributed to tangible progress, allowing us to move from concept and design into a rolling, functional race car.

Your support has already made measurable progress possible! Additional contributions this Giving Day will help us complete manufacturing, perform track testing, finalize the vehicle’s livery and presentation and take us to competition at Formula SAE Michigan. Thank you!