Start your engines.

The Society for Automotive Engineers unveiled its 2009 Formula car as part of the 40th anniversary of the program Saturday.

Representatives from the society’s Formula and Baja car teams presented their current models and discussed the future of the program at Iowa State.

The society is made up of two separate teams: Formula and Baja. The two groups design and build a vehicle that competes against other colleges in a series of static and dynamic categories. The static category includes off-course challenges such as marketing and design reports. The dynamic category includes racing, endurance and obstacle courses. The Baja team constructs an off-road vehicle, while the Formula team will race on a track.

”[Baja uses] engineering concepts in real-world experience,” said Nick Heine, senior in mechanical engineering and vice president of the society.

The Formula team will travel to Romeo, Mich., in May to face 140 other teams.

Last year, Baja placed 16th in the competition, advancing more than 70 spots from the 2007 event.

The Formula team is expecting similar success, which team members attribute to a new design schedule. By planning earlier, the teams can complete the vehicle in the spring semester and fully test their concepts before competing.

“We’ve gone from a 450 pound car, which is already a light car, to a 365 pound car. We’re in the bottom couple percent of lightest car,” said Adam Witthauer, graduate student in mechanical engineering and technical director of the Formula team.

Having a lighter vehicle will make design travel faster, potentially placing higher in the dynamic competitions.

John Dunham, president of the society and senior in mechanical engineering, spoke before the car was unveiled. As president, Dunham described the impacts being involved with the society can have, saying many large automakers hire its participants.

In recognition of the anniversary, Jim and John Heise, ISU alumni, made a presentation that gave a detailed history of the university’s Baja racing. Baja found its place at Iowa State in 1981 when only 32 teams entered their designs. The program has grown tremendously in the past few decades and both groups understand the challenges ahead, in terms of new ideas and strategies.

Participating in the society gives students experience in the hands-on process of vehicle construction and the pride of continuing a building legacy.