UWA Motorsport

What UWA Motorsport does

UWA Motorsport is a student motorsport team based at the University of Western Australia in Perth, founded in 2001. It designs, manufactures, and races Formula SAE-style vehicles for annual competition at FSAE-Australasia in Melbourne, transitioning from internal combustion platforms (with the 2005 FSL-005, 2007 IHS-007 World Championship car, and 2011 Phoenix-011) to fully electric powertrains beginning in 2017. The team draws members from all UWA faculties and provides hands-on experience across vehicle dynamics, chassis composites, powertrain, electrical systems (including MoTeC ECU, data loggers, and Phi-Power axial flux motors), and business functions including project management, finance, and marketing.

Technically, the team employs monocoque chassis construction, custom fuel injection and exhaust systems on combustion platforms, and integrates MoTeC telemetry, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, Altium PCB design, and ANSYS simulation software into its engineering workflow. The IHS-007 demonstrated the team's performance ceiling with 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and 0-75 m in 3.7 seconds from a 100 hp Honda CBR600RR engine at 195 kg total vehicle weight.

The team does not sell commercial products or services. Its operating model is a multi-tiered sponsorship program (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) of approximately 30 corporate partners — including UWA itself, Cape Bouvard Technologies, CEVA Car Carrying, Dassault Systemes, Altium, Phi-Power, Calm Aluminium, DOTMAR, and MHS — that contribute cash, in-kind materials, software licenses, machining, and logistics. The team has stated a public goal of returning to international competition in Europe and North America within three years.

Name

UWA Motorsport

Legal name

UWA Motorsport

Website

https://uwam.team

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UWA Motorsport is a University of Western Australia student team that designs, builds, and races Formula SAE electric racecars for annual FSAE-Australasia competition, funded by a tiered Platinum-to-Bronze corporate sponsorship program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Motorsport Engineering

NAICS

Sporting and Athletic Goods Manufacturing (33992)

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

Motorsports Teams & Entrants (Factory & Independent) (MPAKAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Motorsport Driver Training Schools & Racing Academies (MPAKAJAJ)

Keywords

• Formula SAE racing
• Electric racecar design
• Motorsport engineering
• Student racing programs
• Race team sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Perth

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship Revenue: UWA Motorsport generates revenue through a multi-tiered sponsorship model (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze). Sponsors provide funding, in-kind donations (materials, software licenses, machining services, components), transportation, and other operational support in exchange for brand visibility at competitions and with the university community.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

UWA Motorsport is a University of Western Australia student team that designs, builds, and competes with custom formula-style racecars for the Formula SAE-Australasia competition held annually in Melbourne. The team produces purpose-built competition vehicles with expertise across vehicle dynamics, chassis composites, powertrain systems, electrical systems, and aerodynamics, and has been building electric vehicles since 2017. Operations are sustained through a multi-tiered corporate sponsorship program (Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) where sponsors provide funding and in-kind contributions in exchange for brand visibility.

Product overview

UWA Motorsport is a student engineering team from the University of Western Australia that designs, manufactures, and competes with formula-style electric racecars. The team produces purpose-built competition vehicles (FSL-005, IHS-007, Phoenix-011) for Formula SAE Australasia events, incorporating expertise across vehicle dynamics, chassis composites, powertrain systems, electrical systems with MoTeC ECU/loggers, and telemetry. The team offers students hands-on experience in engineering, project management, finance, marketing, and race operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FSL-005 (2005 Formula SAE Racecar) A custom Formula SAE combustion-engine racecar built by the UWA Motorsport team that achieved a record 952.8/1000 potential points at the 2005 FSAE-Australasia competition. It placed 1st in Engineering Design, Endurance, Presentation, and Autocross, and was followed by a 4th place in Engineering Design at FSAE Michigan 2006.
• IHS-007 (2007 Formula SAE Racecar) A World Championship-winning Formula SAE racecar that achieved 1st place at both the 2007 FSAE-Australasia and FSAE Michigan 2008 competitions. Powered by a Honda CBR600RR engine with custom fuel injection and exhaust producing 100hp and weighing 195kg total, it accelerated from 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds and completed 0-75m in 3.7 seconds.
• Phoenix-011 (2011 Formula SAE Racecar) A Formula SAE racecar built by regenerating the 2010 monocoque with updated components for the 2011 FSAE-Australasia competition. It placed 2nd overall, with 2nd in Endurance and three 1st places in Acceleration, Autocross, and Fuel Economy.
• UWA Motorsport Team Membership The UWA Motorsport student club membership program recruits students from all faculties at the University of Western Australia, offering hands-on engineering, business, and motorsport experience. Members participate in designing, building, and racing Formula SAE electric vehicles, developing career-ready skills in vehicle dynamics, chassis, powertrain, electrical systems, project management, finance, marketing, and event coordination.
• Multi-Tiered Sponsorship Packages Corporate sponsorship packages offered at Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers, providing sponsoring companies with brand visibility on the team's website, competition cars, and at FSAE-Australasia events. Sponsors contribute cash funding and in-kind donations of materials, software licenses (SolidWorks, Altium, ANSYS), machining services, electric motors (Phi-Power), aluminium, plastics, and transportation services (CEVA Car Carrying) in exchange for this visibility and access to the UWA engineering talent pipeline.

Quantifiable outcome

• 952.8/1000 potential points scored by FSL-005 at 2005 FSAE-Australasia
• +2 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• The University of Western AustraliaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University of Western Australia is a public research university in Perth, Western Australia. UWA is the team's primary institution and Platinum sponsor, providing the foundational university affiliation, student access, and institutional support that enables the team's operations.
• Cape Bouvard TechnologiesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCBT is a fully owned subsidiary of Cape Bouvard Investments Pty Ltd that invests in and co-develops high-growth potential technologies. They assist the team with batteries, machining, construction assistance, advice, and general support as a Platinum sponsor.
• CEVA Car CarryingflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEVA Car Carrying specialises in local and interstate car transport services, motorcycle transport, and shipping of specialised machinery. As a Platinum sponsor, CEVA provides transport of the competition car and Troopy to Melbourne for competitions each year.
• Dassault SystemescoreTechnology or IntegrationDassault Systemes is a world leader in 3D Design and Engineering Software, providing PLM and 3D Modeling Software, Simulation Apps and Industry Solutions. As a Gold sponsor, they provide SolidWorks licenses and training support to the team.
• AltiumcoreTechnology or IntegrationAltium provides PC-based electronics design software for engineers who design printed circuit boards. As a Gold sponsor, they have provided 5 free academic licenses to their PCB design software that the team makes heavy use of.
• Calm AluminiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalm Aluminium was established in 2002 to market products and services to the Defence and Toolmaking industries in Australia and New Zealand. As a Gold sponsor, they supply large quantities of free aluminium, assisting with critical components reliably and on short notice.
• DOTMARcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOTMAR Engineering Plastic Products supplies industrial and engineering thermoplastics including Acetal, Polyurethane, Nylon, Polycarbonate, PVC, UHMWPE, and HDPE. As a Gold sponsor, they provide plastics essential to the construction of competition vehicles.
• MHS (Mining & Hydraulic Supplies)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMHS Pumps, MHS Seals, and MHS Hydraulics provide quality solutions for industrial and mining. As a Gold sponsor, they have provided important components such as tube, Loctite, seals, O-rings, Stauff products, and services including tube bending.
• Go GearcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGo Gear has been a major part of the motorsport scene in Western Australia for more than 30 years, with more than 60 years combined experience in supplying hard-to-get racing parts. As a Gold sponsor, they provide racing supplies at a heavy discount.
• Phi-Power AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationPhi-Power AG designs and builds high-performance axial flux motors offering class-leading power and torque density. As a Gold sponsor, they assist by providing motor discounts and motorsport advice to the team.
• Leap AustraliacoreTechnology or IntegrationLeap Australia has a long-established reputation for successfully delivering Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) software and services to thousands of Australian and New Zealand customers. They provide ANSYS licenses and training programs for team members.
• Westurn EngineeringcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWesturn Engineering provides precision CNC machining services, CNC milling, metal machining, 3D CAD/CAM design, and drilling parts. As a Gold sponsor, they provide free machining and material supply.
• Fluidtech EngineeringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFluidtech Engineering provides funding and continued support and motorsport advice. The founder, Peter Marsh, is a team alumni and former long-standing member.
• UWA SportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUWA Sport plays a central role in promoting a healthy campus culture at the University of Western Australia. They provide 10 free gym memberships and facility access as a sponsor.
• GlassKoteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWA GlassKote designs and manufactures high-quality coloured glass splashbacks for commercial and residential applications. They provide free water jet cutting on their premises as a Gold sponsor.
• Weld IntegrityminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWeld Integrity is an accredited QA/QC Inspection and Testing Company established in 2003, servicing the fabrication and maintenance industry throughout Australasia from Balcatta, Western Australia.
• Motorsport AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMotorsport Australia is a not-for-profit member-based organisation focused on the development, regulation, and administration of motorsport across Australia. They provide continued support as a Silver sponsor.
• Wintech EngineeringminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWintech Engineering provides quality CNC contour cutting machines suitable for all types of foam. Their automated CNC cutter machines are reliable and efficient.
• CalspanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCalspan supports innovators in the aerospace, automotive, commercial transportation, and motorsports industries for over 75 years.
• Callidus GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCallidus Group combines experience with the latest technology in the manufacture, rebuild and overlay of titanium alloys, specialising in management, actuators, and instrumentation.
• RaceworksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRaceworks is a range of High Performance Air, Fuel, and Fluid Management Components. Their products are manufactured from premium quality materials to ensure the highest specifications and industry standards are surpassed.
• Motoring South West / Collie MotorplexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMotoring Southwest and The Collie Motorplex aim to promote driver education and safety in youth, promote the Collie region, provide a safe environment for car clubs to test and tune vehicles, and promote motorsport at The Collie Motorplex.
• TreothamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTreotham Automation is an exclusive supplier of high-quality electrical and mechanical components for Australia's industrial automation sector.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• QUT Motorsport: Queensland University of Technology's FSAE team competing in FSAE-Australasia with both electric and combustion entries. Comparable student team entrant with similar sponsorship-driven operating model.
• University of Adelaide Motorsport: University of Adelaide's FSAE team competing in FSAE-Australasia with electric powertrains. Comparable Australian university entrant with similar engineering competition focus.
• Monash Motorsport: Monash University's Formula SAE team, also based in Australia and competing in FSAE-Australasia with combustion and electric vehicles. Directly comparable as a university motorsport team entrant operating under the same competition rules.
• Melbourne University Motorsport (MUM): University of Melbourne's FSAE team competing at FSAE-Australasia in Melbourne, often directly head-to-head with UWA Motorsport at the same annual event. Closest direct competition in the Australasian FSAE field.
• UNSW Motorsport (Redback Racing): University of New South Wales's Formula SAE team. Australian university motorsport team entrant competing in the same regional FSAE competition under a similar student-built, sponsor-supported model.

Broad incumbents

• Motorsport Australia: National sanctioning body for motorsport in Australia and a Silver sponsor of UWA Motorsport. Comparable as the governing ecosystem within which UWA Motorsport operates and competes.
• Triple Eight Race Engineering: Australia's leading professional motorsport team, competing in Supercars. Comparable as an Australian motorsport team/entrant operating at the professional end of the same national motorsport ecosystem.
• Erebus Motorsport: Professional Australian Supercars team. Comparable as a competing Australian motorsport entrant organization, though operating at professional scale rather than university student level.
• Walkinshaw Andretti United: Major Australian professional motorsport team formed from the Walkinshaw/Andretti alliance. Comparable as a motorsport team entrant in the broader Australian motorsport landscape.

Others

• SAE International (Formula SAE): Parent organization that sanctions the Formula SAE / Formula Student competition series globally. Comparable as the governing standards body that defines the engineering competition UWA Motorsport enters.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/uwamotorsport
• Xx.com/uwamfsae

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UWA Motorsport