 Mini
Baja is an intercollegiate design competition for undergraduate
engineering students. Annual competitions are sponsored by the
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in three locations across
the country. Over 150 colleges and universities participate in
competitions set-up regionally in the eastern, mid-western, and
western regions of the USA. Baja cars are tested over three grueling
days of events that include land maneuverability, top speed, acceleration,
braking, suspension, and water maneuverability. In the east competition
the cars must also be able to float and operate in the water in
addition to the rough terrain. The competition culminates with
a rigorous four-hour all terrain endurance race.
The
objective of the competition is to simulate a real world-engineering
project. Each of the competing teams will submit a design to be
manufactured by a fictitious firm. The individual cost of the
car is not to exceed $2,500 including materials, labor, overhead,
and machining. This budgeting value is based on a production run
of 4,000 vehicles annually. Each team is to design and build a
scale version of an off road vehicle powered by an 10 HP Briggs
and Stratton engine for the purpose of racing their vehicle against
the other competing schools and universities. The Mini Baja Car
has strict design guidelines which the team must adhere to in
order to be cleared for competition. |
