Built, tested and raced: created by the next generation of engineers

“The goal for any FSAE team is to be fast and reliable,” shares Jamie Horgos, president of ERAU Motorsports. “In the few autocrosses we attended with last year’s car, we had so many problems with not running properly that we barely could get one run in.”  

But this year is a different story for Embry-Riddle’s FSAE team. Not only did ERAU Motorsports finish ER-09, its 2025 competition car, in February and officially reveal it a few weeks later, but now the team has pushed ER-09 to its limits on track. 

 Where? Our GRM $2000 Challenge Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster: an event centered around building cars for under $2000 that welcomes extreme speed, penny-pinching, over-budget cars, our GRM family and now FSAE cars.

Photograph by Paris Van Gorder

Dewy morning grass, a registration tent and budget race cars–this was view that welcomed ERAU Motorsports to its first-ever $2000 Challenge.  

As the team set up the trailer and tent, it seemed like the students just kept appearing–kind of like a clown car. How many team members did they bring? Over 20! But then again, each one played their own part. 

ERAU Motorsports wasn’t the only FSAE team there that morning. Parked right next to them was Bulls Racing, the University of South Florida’s FSAE team. That’s not all. There were also two non-FSAE school teams there–Georgia Tech’s Wreck Racing and Kennesaw State’s Night Owl Racing–each competing with their own under-budget cars. 

With both FSAE teams set up, they began to mingle, examining each other’s cars, helping one another and sharing the issues they had been having. After all, while they may be competitors, both teams are working toward the same goal as students: honing their engineering skills.

As competitors poured in, members of the ERAU Motorsports team dispersed–some staying to work on the car, some heading to the volunteer tent and others walking around to explore the other entries. They met not only our fantastic GRM family but also a few FSAE alumni.  

“This event is a great way for longtime fans and newcomers to get to see some cool cars and get experience working on track,” shares Conner Van Huisen, one of the team’s chassis engineers. “Definitely an event I look forward to attending again next year.” 

Finally, it was ER-09’s time to shine. The team gathered and made its way over to the staging area, where the team’s two drivers–Ryan Ray, the ergonomics lead, and Liam Mahon, the powertrain lead–suited up. 

Photograph by Paris Van Gorder

“Seeing ER-09 finally run was so rewarding after months of hard work from the entire team,” beams Rachael Doran, one of the team’s electrical members. “Competing in an actual autocross event added an exciting element to everything we’d been working for. It was also great to talk with students from Wreck Racing, Night Owl Racing and Bulls Racing to hear about their design choices, which really expanded my knowledge of the automotive industry.” 

Although the car had a bit of a rough start with some timing issues, the team quickly worked out the kinks and got the hang of the autocross course, securing a time of 37.334. 

Photograph by David S. Wallens

“To be in a position with this new car where all we had to do all day was roll out, fill up with gas and that was absolutely breathtaking and a first for us,” explains Jamie. “And, in turn, we were able to put down the fastest lap in class and second-fastest overall.” 

Though don’t be fooled–the team still has plenty of work to do. After all, they are aiming for a top-10 finish this year at FSAE International competition in May–something the team has never achieved. But at this rate, the goal doesn’t seem all that unattainable.

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