He has helped build off-road racers for the group’s annual competitions — where many automotive companies look for new employees — since joining the team as a freshman.

“The most rewarding thing about Baja for me is being able to say that I designed, built and raced a car in less than a year with a small number of teammates who have become some of my closest friends,” Maisonville said.

Racing organizations give students an opportunity to apply the calculations and principles they learn in the classroom, he said. It also allows students to build vehicles that are evaluated on everything from cost efficiency to driving performance during competitions.

“The benefits are pretty clear for engineering students,” said Scott Williams, project manager for the MSU Formula Racing team.

“You design an actual system, and Formula Racing is a lot more intensive than some of the other programs because you get full control of the design from the ground up,” Williams said.

While there are many engineering majors who participate, students from all backgrounds and majors are welcome.

Formula Racing, an engineering group that builds and races “performance-minded” cars, has a nursing major on the team because she simply enjoys racing, said Williams, a mechanical engineering senior.

Formula Racing members will compete in about five competitions this season, while Baja team members will travel to about three competitions.

However, both organizations will spend hours working well into the night at the garage.

Despite the hours, Maisonville doesn’t regret his time spent in the garage.

“It’s a huge commitment, but if you love it, you do it,” he said.