1981 - The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in the United States started running its Formula SAE programme.

   Today, the competition has expanded and includes a number of spin off events.
 In the United States there are two locations: California and Michigan; Michigan being the largest event and longest running.

   Internationally, as part of the Official Formula SAE Series utilizing the Formula SAE Rules Copyright under signed agreement are:

   Formula SAE Australasia,  Formula SAE Brazil, Formula SAE Italy, Formula Student (UK), Formula SAE Japan, Formula Student Germany.

    The competitions are conducted under nearly all the same rules and regulations, allowing the teams to participate in several different competitions with little or no modifications to their work.