Brooklyn, Michigan – June 23, 2026 – After spending the year designing, building, and testing its competition vehicle, GCU Motorsports returned to the 2026 Formula SAE Michigan Competition at Michigan International Speedway with a significantly improved car and an 81^st-place finish that reflected that.
Competing against collegiate engineering programs from around the world, the team was tasked with designing, manufacturing, and testing a formula-style race car while being evaluated in engineering, cost analysis, business presentation, and on-track performance events.
 
"The main difference this year was that we had the experience from last season to build off of," said Lopes' Student Leader Grant Garcia. "Last year, our goal was simply to get a finished car. This year, we were able to focus much more on designing it properly."
 
Formula SAE (which stands for Society of Automated Engineers) competition begins with a series of technical inspections and static evaluations before teams can advance to dynamic events such as acceleration, skid pad, autocross, and endurance. Teams must pass multiple stages of inspection - including technical inspection, tilt testing, sound testing, and brake testing - before earning access to the on-track portions of the competition. 
 
Despite not reaching the dynamic events, GCU's engineering improvements were evident throughout the week. The team's finishing overall total of 122.9 points came from the cost (49.2), presentation (38.7) and design (35) categories.
 
The team's 2026 vehicle weighed approximately 300 pounds less than last year's car while incorporating significant design improvements developed through a larger team, stronger support network and lessons learned during the program's first competition season.
 
"We had more support, a larger team, and the experience from last year to build off of," Garcia said. "That helped us create a much better-designed car. Every time, we learn some key things that we can improve for next time, and this year, it was the suspension and electrical systems."
 
Looking ahead, the team plans to continue refining the vehicle rather than making wholesale changes.
 
"Our leadership team is very talented, and now they have two competitions under their belt," Garcia said. "Combined with the growing support of the school and the growing team, we think we can build an awesome car next year."

Full results from this year's event can be seen here.