The NIU Society of Automotive Engineers will try to top last year’s finish in the annual Formula SAE competition held in Pontiac, Mich.

The 140-team is from May 18-22 at the Pontiac Silverdome. The 12-member SAE team designs and builds a formula race car for the competition. The competition consists of events that test many aspects of the car, including its design and endurance.

“Basically [the judges] test everything in the automotive industry,” said Corey Hudson, an industrial engineering graduate student and SAE member.

NIU’s team spends the first semester designing the car and the second semester building the car, said Dan Sotiroff, a junior mechanical engineering major and SAE member. The team receives money for the project through family members, fundraising and sponsors. The Chicagoland Sports Car Club also has helped NIU’s team the past three years. The CSCC donates advice, money and food for NIU’s team.

“Motivation and food are two things strongly sought after by college students,” CSCC Treasurer Larry Best said.

The CSCC got involved with NIU’s team because it is the only area SAE team, Best said.

“[The CSCC] is trying to bridge the two clubs,” Hudson said. “They want to get their members excited about us and our members excited about their club.”

NIU’s team placed 94th of 135 teams in last year’s competition but hopes to improve on that finish this year.

But the team has had a few problems the past few years, Sotiroff said.

“Usually things break that we do not expect,” Sotiroff said.

The prizes for the competition include cash prizes and “Best of … ” awards in different categories.

“We’re always trying to get more club members,” Hudson said. “The club is not just for engineering students; it’s for anyone.”