Racing toward innovation: Inside CU Boulder’s fastest student organization
On any given weekend, tucked away in a Longmont workshop or tearing down a raceway in Daytona,CU Boulder studentsaredoingsomethingremarkable: building and racing their own cars. But CU Boulder Racing is far more than a high-speed hobby—’s an engine of innovation, leadership, and community.
Led by Carson Malpass a senior in the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, the team builds internal combustion race carsfromthe groundup tocompeteintheprestigious FormulaSAEcompetition,travelsthe countryracingendurancecarsagainst professional teams,andisnowventuringintotheelectric vehicle (EV) frontier. With about 300 members across engineering, business, arts and sciences, and even English majors, CU Boulder Racing is one of the university’s largest and most multidisciplinary student-run organizations.
"’snotjustaraceteam,"Malpasssaid."’sateamwherestudentsbecome engineers,project managers, designers, and leaders."
The CU Boulder Formula Racing team at this year's Formula SAE competition in Michigan.
That transformation begins with Formula SAE, one of the most rigorous student engineering competitionsintheworld. Eachyear,studentteamsdesign, build,andraceanewsingle-seater open-wheel vehicle guided by a thick rulebook and strict deliverables. CU Boulder’s Formula team has been on an upward trajectory—placing 31st out of 120 teams in May 2025, their best finish since placing 20th in 2023. But the competition is about far more than speed. Teams are judged on design presentations, cost reports, business proposals, and how the car performs on the track.
A closer look at CU Boulder Racing's 2025 Formula SAE vehicle.
The competition, held each May in Michigan, begins with a heavy number of technical inspections.Teamsmustpassa tilttest,braketests,decibellimits, andacomprehensivesafety inspection before even qualifying for the dynamic events. This year, the team encountered a major challenge the night before departure: a seized wheel bearing due to improper lubrication. With the trailer already packed, members stayed up overnight chiseling out the frozen part and grinding away each ball bearing. They ultimately secured liquid nitrogen through a helpful alum tofinishthefix.Despitetheseobstacles andracing mosteventsstuckinasinglegear,theteam completed every major section and walked away as the top Colorado team.
"Thatwasaproudmoment,"Malpasssaid."The teamwasupallnightsolving areallytechnical problem and it all paid off. Those kinds of moments are what make this team special."
While the combustion team continues to fine-tune their design, CU Boulder Racing is charging intothefuturewithafull-fledgedelectricvehicleinitiative. TheirEVteamiscurrentlydesigninga brand-new race car set to debut at Formula SAE Electric in June 2026. According to Malpass, buildinganEVisan entirelydifferentchallenge.SomedzDzԱԳٲ—lsuspension geometry—can carry over, but major systems like the frame and powertrain must be reimagined for electric power.
"ճ’sstuffyoucantweakandcarryover,"hesaid."Butٳ’salsostuffٳ’stotally different. It’s a clean-sheet design in a lot of ways."
The transition has been years in the making, with early behind-the-scenes research now evolvingintoadedicatedteam workingonthedesign.AsMalpassputit,"±’roptimistic.We know ’s a massive undertaking, but the team has the knowledge and motivation."
CU Boulder Racing's endurance team standing alongside their endurance racing vehicle.
That same spirit of exploration and grit drives the ٱ’s endurance racing efforts. CU Boulder Racing’s endurance division competes in production-based Mazda Miatas at tracks across the U.S.,runningineventsthatlastanywhere fromsevento24hours.Evenclubmemberswithno driving experience are welcome to try out on their qualifying car.
"ճ’s a clear learning curve," Malpass said. "We have a lower-performance car to train people,andthenthetop driversgetintoour719or303Miata. We’vehadpeoplestartfrom scratch and become some of our best drivers."
And’snotjustforfun.Theprofessionalismoftheteamhasbeennoticed acrossthecountry.In some cases, CU Boulder Racing has even outperformed fully professional or dedicated senior design teams.
Mentorship is at the heart of that success. Now in his fourth year, Malpass has shifted from building cars to building people. The club runs its own internal workshops in areas like computer-aided design (CAD), finiteelementanalysis, anddesignforԳܴڲٳܰԲ—tDZ辱thatmanystudentsɴDz’tseeuntil late in their curriculum.
"Weteachthestuffwewishɱ’dlearnedearlier,"Malpasssaid."Sowhen membersgetto those classes or internships, ٳ’r already ahead."
This year, the team brought a record 42 members to the Formula competition in Michigan. “Seeingthemexperienceitfor thefirstپ—sԲthepayoff forallthoselatenightsinthe shop—ٳ’s what keeps people coming back,” he said.
That commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive space also drives the ٱ’s Women in Motorsports initiative. Though racing and mechanical engineering remain male-dominated fields,CUBoulderRacingisworkingto change that.Inrecentyears,ٳ’vseensignificant growth in female membership and leadership. Some students have even joined the team specifically because of the welcoming environment.
"’snotjustaboutoptics—’saboutculture,"Malpasssaid."±’vhosted dedicatedmeetings, events, and conversations to make sure everyone feels like they belong here."
And’sworking.Femaleleadsnowplayamajorroleacrossmultipledivisions. Theinitiative, whichstartedasa conversation,hasbecomeastructuralpillar oftheٱ’srecruitmentand retention strategy.
CU Boulder Racing's Women in Motorsports division.
Theresultsspeakforthemselves.Alumni have gone on to become professional race car drivers, compete in European NASCAR, pursue advanced degrees in automotive engineering and even join Formula One teams like Mercedes.
"Oneofourformermembers, Liam Travis,recentlygothiredbytheMercedes-AMG PETRONASFormula OneTeam," Malpasssaid."’swildto think that what starts in our little shop in Longmont can lead to that."
Malpass,whoisalsominoringinengineeringmanagement,creditstheclub withshapingboth his resume and his mindset.
"The majority of whatItalkaboutininterviewscomesbacktothisteam,"he said."Whether’ssolving problems, leading people, or learning how to design something that actually gets built—it all comes from here."
As CU Boulder Racing prepares for another year, they are gearing up to welcome new members.Theclubrecruitseach fallandspringateventslikethe EngineeringImmersionand Be Involved Fair, where students can learn about both the Formula and Endurance divisions. Even those without prior experience are encouraged to dive in.
"YouDz’tneedtoknowanythingwhenyoustart,"Malpasssaid."Justshow upandbereadyto learn. That’s all it takes."
In a university filled with clubs and organizations, CU Boulder Racing stands out not just for its speed,butforits commitmenttogrowth,inclusion,and real-worldexperience.Whetherstudents are machining parts at midnight or giving their first design presentation, ٳ’r gaining something far greater than trophies.
ճ’rbecomingengineers.Andintheprocess,ٳ’rprovingthatcollege studentsDz’tjust compete—they lead.