Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, October 15, 2026.— The Bonaterra Motorsport of the Universidad PanamericanaAguascalientes campus, took fourth place nationally in its first appearance in Formula SAE Mexico, a college engineering competition in which students design, build, and test a formula-style car.
Formula SAE Mexico: College Talent on Wheels
Formula SAE Mexico allows students to apply their knowledge in areas such as project management, mechanical design, manufacturing, and electronics to a real-world project, solve technical problems, collaborate with students from other disciplines, and develop leadership, innovation, and management skills. Eleven university teams from different parts of the country participated in this year’s event.
During the competition, teams are evaluated on aspects such as technical design, safety, costs, and vehicle performance, in addition to undergoing dynamic tests that put their vehicles’ performance to the test on the track. This process requires planning, multidisciplinary work, and problem-solving skills, while also allowing students to strengthen skills related to the challenges of the automotive industry.
A value proposition that stood out to the judges
One of Bonaterra Motorsport’s major achievements was taking third place in the Business Case competition, in which Industrial Engineering students Cecilia Dávalos and Isabella Rosales presented a sponsorship proposal aimed at generating benefits for both the racing team and the companies supporting the project.
Unlike proposals focused solely on brand visibility, the students proposed a strategy to strengthen the relationship between sponsors and promote opportunities for collaboration among them. To this end, they chose DSI (Digitalization and Engineering Solutions), a company based in Aguascalientes that is one of the team’s main sponsors, and focused their proposal on powertrain and suspension systems.
Isabella Rosales emphasized that the strategy sought to recognize the commitment of those contributing to the project and to find ways to create value for both parties. In this regard, the students noted that their proposal was based on the idea of forming a collaborative network in which sponsors could also support one another.
“We focus on seeing them not as sponsors, but as part of the team,” the students said, explaining the approach that set their presentation apart.
The results highlight the importance of integrating knowledge of management, finance, and business partnerships into the development of engineering projects, in which technical expertise must be complemented by strategic planning that supports sustained growth.
“This achievement is motivating; we’ve all put in a lot of work, but we must always strive to improve. The fact that we’re making progress and staying on course is a blessing,” said Cecilia Dávalos
Technical Preparation as a Key Factor in Competition
Another of the most significant achievements was passing the Technical Inspection, one of the most thorough evaluations in the competition. Of the 11 participating teams, only two managed to pass this test, in which 30 engineers from Ford Motor Company evaluated various aspects of the vehicles in accordance with the established regulations.
The process involves a detailed inspection of components, assemblies, measurements, and safety conditions to verify that the vehicles meet the established technical requirements.
This achievement was the result of a collaborative effort by the various departments at Bonaterra Motorsport. According to the students, after identifying areas for improvement during their last participation in the international competition held in Michigan, the team spent part of their vacation addressing issues and fine-tuning details so they could be better prepared for the national competition.
This previous experience allowed them to make adjustments and arrive better prepared for the national competition, held in Mexico City. The competition also served to evaluate the car’s progress and identify areas that need improvement for future challenges.
“Being on the team means a lot of growth and opportunity. Beyond learning many things that will be useful in your professional life, you meet a lot of people, make new friends, network with business leaders, and make a name for yourself,” says Isabella.
Engineering and Collaborative Work
Bonaterra Motorsport brings together students from various fields who contribute to the development of the car and the overall management of the project. In this regard, one of the main challenges is coordinating the work of a large team, in which decisions made in each area affect the team’s overall performance, since the entire team consisted of about 50 students.
For the students, communication, organization, and the ability to work with people from different perspectives are essential skills for achieving common goals.
Since completing their degrees in Industrial Engineering, both students have acquired the tools to analyze processes comprehensively, identify opportunities for improvement, and understand how different areas of work are interconnected. They also emphasized the importance of documentation, planning, and setting goals to support technical decisions.
Cecilia Dávalos explained that this perspective allows us to view the project beyond the manufacturing of the vehicle and to recognize that each component is part of a system in which all areas must function in a coordinated manner.
In that regard, participating in Formula SAE Mexico allowed them to realize that the car’s performance depends not only on its technical specifications, but also on the team members’ ability to document their processes, justify their decisions, and communicate their knowledge to the judges.
Heading Toward a New International Challenge
Following its participation in Mexico, Bonaterra Motorsport will continue working to strengthen its processes and prepare for Formula SAE USA, which will take place in Brooklyn, Michigan, next May. This competition will mark the team’s fifth year of international participation.
With a car that is more complete and functional than in previous seasons, the team will seek to consolidate its technical advances, improve its score, and strengthen its documentation, presentations, and the preparation of its members to tackle the competition’s evaluations.
The results achieved in Mexico serve as a starting point for consolidating the progress made and directing efforts toward new goals on the international stage.
Engineering that transforms learning into an experience
Bonaterra Motorsport ’s involvement reflects the value of promoting academic projects that link university education with the challenges of the professional world. For the Universidad Panamericana, these experiences contribute to the well-rounded development of its students, strengthen the practical application of knowledge, and showcase the talent of its community in national and international competitions.
