Students Design, Build and Compete Cars
The University of Wyoming Motorsports Club, also known as WyoMoto, is more than just a student group. It brings together engineering, teamwork, and a drive to compete, as students design, build, and race custom vehicles in national competitions.
WyoMoto operates as a hands-on engineering team, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom lessons to real-world challenges. Each year, the club designs and builds two types of vehicles: a Formula Hybrid car and a Baja-style off-road racer.
These projects are part of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) collegiate design series, which pits university teams against each other in tough competitions that test design, performance, and endurance.
The Formula Hybrid + Electric vehicle blends cutting-edge electric powertrain technology with aerodynamic design and lightweight materials. It’s a showcase of innovation, requiring mastery of electrical systems, composites, and control software.
The Baja Vehicle is built for rugged terrain; the Baja car is a mechanical beast. Students engineer suspension systems, powertrains, and roll cages to withstand punishing off-road conditions.
Each build cycle takes months of planning, CAD modeling, machining, welding, and testing. The club’s motto, “Build, Race, Win,” is more than just a goal. It shows the hard work and pride that goes into every bolt and circuit board.
WyoMoto is open to students from all majors, though engineering is its backbone. The team is led by dedicated team members, including Zach Goldner, President and Electrical Powertrain Lead for the Hybrid Team, Carly Neidel, Vice President, and Alex Capler, Student Advisor.
Supporting them is a diverse crew of undergraduates who manage everything from aerodynamics and composites to business operations and sponsorship outreach. Members coordinate funding efforts to ensure the team has the necessary resources to compete.
“This club has helped me grow a lot as an engineer. It’s great having learning experiences in both designing and welding so you can get a feel for it,” vice president Carly Neidel said.
What sets WyoMoto apart is its culture of mentorship. Upperclassmen guide newcomers through technical challenges, providing a sense of teamwork and an environment where learning is constant and failure is just another step toward success.
The club’s vehicles are built to race, but can also be seen at university events. Every spring, WyoMoto heads to national SAE competitions, where their cars are judged on design, safety, and performance. Events include acceleration tests, endurance races, and technical inspections. The cars can also be seen during the UW HOCO parade, fundraising events, and at the university motorsports shop.
Beyond the track, WyoMoto builds a strong sense of community. Members spend long hours in the shop, solving problems and celebrating successes. Working together to build something from scratch and seeing it come to life creates a powerful bond.
While the club is rooted in engineering, its impact extends far beyond technical skills. Members gain experience in coordinating timelines, meeting competition deadlines, running meetings, training new members, and making strategic decisions. They also take responsibility for promoting the club, securing sponsorships, and engaging with the campus community, as well as managing finances and building relationships with donors and industry partners.
These skills are valuable for students entering the workforce, especially in fields like automotive engineering, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
WyoMoto’s success is made possible by a network of sponsors who provide funding, materials, and mentorship. Local businesses, national companies, and UW departments all contribute to the team’s mission. In return, sponsors gain visibility and access to a group of talented and motivated students.
The club also maintains a professional online presence through its website and social media sites where visitors can learn more about the team, view build updates, and support their efforts through donations or merchandise.
WyoMoto shows what Wyoming is all about: being bold, creative, and ready for any challenge. For students, it is an opportunity to apply theory in practice, acquire new skills, and join something bigger than themselves.
The club is a source of pride and shows the talent of University of Wyoming students and the quality of its engineering program. In the motorsports world, WyoMoto is a rising contender, proving that excellence can come from anywhere.
Interested students can reach out via wyoming.motorsports@uwyo.edu or connect with the team at campus events.
The UW Motorsports website is: wyomoto.com
