BFR Garage
Our History
Founded in 2012 by a group of ambitious young engineers, Bruin Formula Racing has redefined what it means to be a student organization. We pride ourselves on our commitment to continually improving our engineering process and bringing together the brightest young minds on campus. Our large and diverse membership includes students of all races, genders, and majors, working as one to produce the fastest car possible.
Mk. 11 (2025-2026)
Mk11 was our 3rd electric vehicle, iterating on the design of the Mk10 for additional reliability and waterproofing upgrades. It became our first electric vehicle to pass all technical inspections and compete in the dynamic events, and our first electric vehicle to finish all four dynamic events including the full 22 kilometer endurance race. It also received the team's highest design score to date, crossing into the three digits for the first time (105 points).
Result (Formula SAE Michigan Electric 2026): 26th out of 89 teams present
Motor and Inverter: EMRAX 228 paired with Cascadia CM200DX
Mk. 10 (2024-2025)
Mk10 was our 2nd electric vehicle, with major reliability and optimization improvements compared to Mk9. Over 50km of testing was done with the vehicle and enabled the team to acheive its highest design score up to date.
Result (Formula SAE Michigan Electric 2025): 35th out of 80 teams present
Motor and Inverter: EMRAX 228 paired with Cascadia CM200DX
Mk. 9 (2023-2024)
Mk9 was our first electric vehicle, featuring an air-cooled accumulator battery system and liquid cooled tractive system including a single motor connected via chain to our eccentric differential driving the rear wheels. Mk9 also featured lightweight forged magnesium wheels and a full underbody and diffuser for our aerodynamics package.
Results (Formula SAE Michigan Electric 2024): 37th out of 70 teams present
Motor and Inverter: EMRAX 228 paired with Cascadia CM200DX
Mk. 8 (2022-2023)
Mk8 was our last internal combustion engine vehicle and our most competition successful vehicle to date. Mk8 featured an improved 2nd year aerodynamics package, pneumatic shifting, and improved powertrain and suspension data collection capabilities. It was also the lightest and most tested of our vehicles, providing for high performance.
Result (Formula SAE Michigan 2023): 10th out of 114 teams present
Engine: Yamaha YZ450FX
Mk. 7 (2020-2022)
Mk7 was a highly successful top 5 finishing vehicle that was the team’s first post pandemic. Mk7 features the team's first aerodynamics package, eccentric differential, and an incredibly reliable powertrain.
Result (Formula SAE Michigan 2022 June): 5th out of 43 teams present
Engine: Yamaha YZ450FX
Mk. 5 (2018-2019)
Our 5th competition vehicle, Mk.5 boasts a partial aero package including undertray and radiator shroud, reconfigured suspension with anti-roll bars, enhanced data acquisition, custom impact attenuator.
Result (Formula SAE Lincoln 2019): 47th out of 76 teams present
Engine: Yamaha YZ450FX
