Beyond The Competition

In this special “Know Before You Go” edition, host Mike Sorg is joined by SAE Program Manager Damon Andring and Maryland event organizer Zach Love to give teams an essential rundown ahead of Baja SAE Maryland 2025.

The episode covers everything students need to know to be ready for the week, including:

Zach also previews dynamic events and endurance, highlighting an exciting motocross-style track with optional route strategies for drivers.

🎧 Call to Action

➡️ Subscribe on your podcast app or at SAE University Programs YouTube

CDS Action News provides updates and essential information for participants in various SAE competitions, including Formula SAE and Baja SAE, with highlights on event schedules, sponsor activities, and important announcements. It also offers resources and benefits for SAE Collegiate Chapter members and graduating seniors.

Congratulations 0:45

UCLA Workshop visits 0:55


SAE Survey 2:37

Baja Maryland Business Presentation Finalists 2:51
 https://www.bajasae.net/app/SimpleScheduleViewer.aspx?scheduleid=dd0f1ca0-596d-4849-a1a5-8c5581401388

New Baja Rules Posted 3:13

Update Baja SAE Tech Sheet 3:28 
https://www.bajasae.net/cdsweb/gen/DownloadDocument.aspx?DocumentID=e51f92c0-1066-4d34-b19c-d1723e5f4e8b

Formula SAE Workshop 4:20

In this episode of SAE Beyond the Competition, we welcome Matt Wasowski, the producer of virtual events for SAE International. Matt shares the behind-the-scenes story of SAE’s transition into impactful and accessible online events—developed during the pandemic but continuing strong today. We explore how these events offer real-time industry insights, including timely topics like EV infrastructure and AI in mobility, all while staying free and open to the public.

Matt also explains his unique approach to finding global speakers, building engaging programming, and bringing people together from up to 18 different time zones at once. With a background in major events like New York Comic Con, Matt brings a passion for community-building and content curation—plus, he shares a hilarious story involving Mark Hamill.

Whether you’re an SAE member or just an engineering enthusiast, you’ll get a better understanding of how SAE’s virtual events are expanding the organization’s global reach and creating meaningful connections in the mobility space.

👉 Subscribe now to SAE Beyond the Competition on your favorite podcast app or watch on the SAE University Programs YouTube channel. Don’t miss future episodes that take you behind the scenes of the engineering competitions and innovations shaping the future!

CDS Action News provides updates and essential information for participants in various SAE competitions, including Formula SAE and Baja SAE, with highlights on event schedules, sponsor activities, and important announcements. It also offers resources and benefits for SAE Collegiate Chapter members and graduating seniors.


Know Before You Go 0:26

Fast Track Rosters 0:38
Email [email protected] if you have trouble finding it.

Live Stream 0:56

Baja Maryland 1:43

Formula EV Virtual Presentations 2:06

Ilmor Engineering Specialty Award 2:24

Formula EV Hotels 2:51

Formula SAE Workshop 3:03

In this episode of SAE Beyond the Competition, we’re joined by the Endurance Event captains for Formula SAE IC: Laura Krauser, Matt Kalmus, and Cory Johnson. Together, they break down important updates to the Endurance Event format for the 2025 competition.

The trio discusses the evolution of the event’s operations, including the strategic scheduling structure aimed at improving team communication and flow throughout Saturday’s dynamic events. Key highlights include a new data-informed model for assigning team arrival times at fuel and staging, methods to avoid penalties, and how real-time updates will be communicated—rain or shine. The team also touches on the roles of pink-vested staff, practice session flow, and what captains can (and can’t) help with during the event.

Whether you’re heading to the Michigan International Speedway or tuning in from the shop, this episode is essential listening to navigate Endurance smoothly this year.

📢 Subscribe to “SAE Beyond the Competition” on your favorite podcast app or watch the latest updates on the SAE University Programs YouTube channel. Stay informed and make sure your team is competition-ready!

Get ready for Baja SAE Arizona 2025! In this special episode of SAE Beyond the Competition, host Scott Schultz sits down with Damon Andring, Program Manager for Baja SAE, to break down everything teams need to know before heading to Tucson, Arizona.

🎯 Learn about:

📍This year’s Baja is held at a working pumpkin patch, adding a fun and unique twist to the competition layout and spectator access!

🚨 Don’t forget to download the Baja SAE app for real-time event updates and bring your Fast Track rosters printed and signed!

📺 SUBSCRIBE for more competition insights, team stories, and event previews from SAE University Programs: https://www.youtube.com/@saeuniversityprograms

In this “Know Before You Go” episode, SAE University Programs Media Producer Mike Sorg and CDS Action News host Scott Schultz sit down with Zeke Bowden, Competition Director, and Glenn Cashion, Airboss, to walk teams through everything they need to know before arriving at SAE Aero Design East 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Listeners will get a comprehensive overview of:

A strong reminder: print your Fast Track roster ahead of time, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and respect all field and wildlife regulations.

🚀 Bonus: The event will be livestreamed, including the flight rounds and awards, for those unable to attend in person.

👉 Subscribe to Beyond the Competition on your favorite podcast platform and follow SAE University Programs on YouTube and social media for event coverage and updates.

What happens when a Formula SAE team trades carbon fiber for hemp? In this episode of SAE Beyond the Competition, we talk with Alton Coolidge from Olin College of Engineering about his team’s bold experiment — building an aero kit for their Formula car using sustainable hemp materials. Alton shares how the idea came together, why hemp was the perfect choice for their budget and workspace, and what they learned from the challenges of working with non-traditional composites. It’s a great conversation about creativity, problem-solving, and how sustainable materials like hemp could play a bigger role in the future of automotive design — especially for student teams.

Learn more about Alton at www.altoncoolidge.com and check out his full video series on the project here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLupOQxK7Bfe8FLjMPqqw6_MVvJu3c0CgR

Subscribe to Beyond the Competition on your favorite podcast app or follow SAE University Programs on YouTube for more conversations like this!

CDS Action News provides updates and essential information for participants in various SAE competitions, including Formula SAE and Baja SAE, with highlights on event schedules, sponsor activities, and important announcements. It also offers resources and benefits for SAE Collegiate Chapter members and graduating seniors.

Aero West

Featured Content

Baja AZ Meals

Baja AZ Hotels

Baja Tech Sheets

Pre-Competition Accumulator Video Deadline

Formula Virtual Presentation

Formula SAE Workshop

In this episode of Beyond the Competition, host Mike Sorg is joined by key figures from SAE and the Aero Design community to help students prepare for the SAE Aero Design West 2025 event in Van Nuys, California.

Guests include:

Together, they walk teams through what to expect during the competition weekend, from technical inspections and safety briefings to flight operations and awards.

🚀 Key Highlights:

✈️ Bonus Tips:

The hosts also share local food recommendations (like tacos, In-N-Out, and ramen spots) and fun things to do in Los Angeles post-competition, from studio tours to hiking.