STEM Racing

Specifications judging Specifications judging is a detailed inspection process where the race car is assessed for compliance with the STEM Racing Technical Regulations. Scrutineering is conducted within the confines of parc fermé, where judges use a series of specially manufactured gauges and accurate measuring tools to check cars' compliance. All of the rules and regulations season can be found at the STEM Racing website. Engineering judging The scheduled engineering judging interview session focuses on the application of CAD/CAM analysis, CAD data organisation, orthographic drawing, 3D render and use of CNC machining. This is an informal interview where judges ask the team to demonstrate their CAD / CAM work and query teams on what they have done. Portfolio and pit display judging Each team of students is required to produce an enterprise portfolio, engineering portfolio as well as a pit display. The portfolios are A3 size and should contain information about the team, their car design and manufacturing process, marketing techniques, project management, teamwork and team identity. Teams are given an area to set up a pit display which is judged alongside their design portfolio by a panel of judges. Verbal presentation judging In advance of the competition, teams prepare a timed verbal presentation to present to a panel of judges, outlining their project. Teams usually use a PowerPoint presentation as a visual aid when presenting to the judges. The length of the verbal presentation varies depending on the level of the competition. At World Finals Level teams are required to prepare a 10-minute presentation. Racing Teams race their cars against each other on the 20-metre STEM Racing competition track. Points are awarded for reaction time racing as well as knockout racing. == Defining car features ==

Regulations vary from regional to national to world finals, but the basic features, resembling a real F1 car, are consistent. Front and rear wing The cars have to include a front wing that does not cover the wheels if seen from the side or the top in the technical drawing. The front wing can not cover the wheels higher than 15 mm relative to the track surface and must not be physically obstructed by any other components of the car. The minimum wingspan of the front wing is 50 mm and its thickness should be between 2 mm and 6 mm. To allow for airflow, the front wing must have at least 5 mm of clear air space to any other part of the car or track surface. The rear wing cannot cover the rear wheels if seen from above and must not be physically obstructed by any other component when viewed from the front. The rear wing must have a single, unbroken minimum span of 50 mm and a thickness between 2 mm to 6 mm. Similar to the front wing, to allow for airflow the rear wing must have a minimum of 5 mm clear air space to any other part of the car or track surface. Cartridge chamber The cars feature a chamber to hold the CO2 cartridge. It has to be parallel to the track surface. Wheels The cars have to include four wheels with a given scope of width and radius that are in contact with the surface of the track at all times. The wheels must be entirely visible from the right or left side and from the top. There is a 15 mm long exclusion zone behind the width of the front wheels. Halo The Stem Racing regulations later included an additional structure known as the "Halo", a standard structure across all Stem Racing Cars in the World Finals, introduced into the Indian and Australian National Finals in 2025. The Halo is the New Standard Deceleration system, which uses a rubber band to catch the car after the finish line Car body The cars have to incorporate a virtual cargo horizontal to the track surface in between the centre of the axis of the wheels. This renders many "catamaran" designs insufficient. Cars have to be symmetrical to a vertically oriented reference plane. Cars also feature side boxes large enough to hold the Stem Racing decal. In 2025, a "Legal Ballast", a cavity under the Halo assembly has been allowed, which can be used for weight reduction, or to house fishing weights to increase the car to the absolute minimum weight of 48g. == STEM Racing World Finals results ==

Generally, Regional/State Champions are invited to compete at their country's National Finals, with the in-country organising authority inviting other teams to the National Finals through the use of wildcards. The National Champions are invited to represent their country at the World Finals. The winning team receives the STEM Racing World Championship Trophy. The World Finals podium places and Best Engineered Car are outlined below. == References ==