ABOUT
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
Baja SAE is an international, intercollegiate engineering design series run by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Each year, more than one hundred colleges and universities design, build, and present an off-road vehicle to compete in multi-day competitions. The vehicles are presented as a prototype, recreational UTV marketed towards the non-professional off-road enthusiast.
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Vehicles are judged scored and in two categories of events: Dynamic and Static events. To compete, vehicles must pass a notoriously stringent Technical Inspection and prove an adherence to the hundred-page competition rule book. Rules govern basic design, safety, and power requirements. All vehicles use a competition modified, 14hp, Kohler CH440 Engine.
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Dynamic Events, including Hill Climb, Sled Pull, Suspension, Maneuverability, Acceleration, and a four-hour Endurance Race provide a true test of a vehicle’s performance and reliability. Points are awarded for the completion, or speed of completion, of each dynamic event. In the highlight endurance race, up to one hundred teams race wheel-to-wheel on a circuit featuring a variety of obstacles, scoring points for each lap completed.
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During the Static Events, teams market their vehicle to judges, present their design solutions, and undergo cost evaluations. Teams score points for marketability, creativity in design, and depth/soundness of engineering practice.
ENGINEERING SUBTEAMS
FRAME
The frame, composed out of chrome-moly steel tubing, is the body of the vehicle. Frame design is carefully governed by competition rules, as it protects and encloses the driver. It is a mounting point for every subsystem, and must correctly accommodate the suspension, engine, etc.
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DRIVETRAIN
The drivetrain is responsible for optimal power delivery from the engine to the wheels. The Drivetrain Subteam designs and manufactures our custom torque-reduction gearbox, universal joints, and driveshafts. Since the first Baja competition in 1976, competing vehicles have been rear wheel drive (RWD). Beginning the 2020 season, a four-wheel/all-wheel drive (4WD/AWD) requirement was phased into the competition. Currently, we utilize a chain to transmit power from the rear to the front of the car. However, for the 2025/2026 season, Drivetrain responsibilities will also include implementing a prop shaft.
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SUSPENSION
Using computer simulation and physical testing, the Suspension Subteam analyzes the behavior of shocks under different conditions. The vehicle suspension is responsible for maintaining tire traction and maneuverability, both over obstacles and over flat ground.
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ERGONOMICS
The Ergonomics Subteam engineers the human-vehicle interface to provide an ergonomic, optimal experience for the driver. Projects include steering wheel/rack placement, pedal placement, seat position, etc.
BRAKES
Brakes not only have an important impact on handling, but braking performance is necessitated by competition rules: each vehicle must achieve four-wheel lock within a specified stopping distance at the competition Brake Check. The Brakes Subteam manages hydraulic brake lines, component selection, pedal design, and the pedal interface. Each aspect of the Brakes system is verified with FEA and thorough calculation.
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SENSORS
Vehicle telemetry is critical for achieving optimal performance from our vehicle. The Sensors Subteam gathers data about ride characteristics to help inform design decisions.
