USU engineers to race Mini Bajas
Excitement levels in the Engineering Laboratory Building rise as Mini Baja rolls into town.
Each year engineering students gather from all across the nation to compete in this multifaceted event, put on by the Society of Automotive Engineers.
Despite the fact Utah has three schools that send two cars every year, this will be the first time the competition is hosted in the state. It is a massive production with around 50 judges and entries from as far away as Beirut.
“A Baja is a vehicle that is made to run in the desert and sometimes has hundreds of horse power,” said Ralph Haycock, professor of engineering and 10-year affiliate with the competition. “The Mini Baja is just a smaller, 10-horse power version.”
Alison Ence, co-organizer of this year’s competition, said there will be a dynamics event in which the vehicles are tested in acceleration, hill climb and maneuverability. There will also be an endurance event on a grueling four-hour course through rugged terrain, she said.
The creation of the Mini Bajas requires both time and effort. Students at Utah State University began planning and designing their cars before Fall Semester 2001 even began, said Bill Price, senior in engineering, and the only Mini Baja veteran on this year’s team.
The teams separated into groups and worked on different aspects of the vehicles, Price said. They began building their vehicles over Christmas, and although they have had the cars up and running for the past month, changes and repairs are still being made, Price said.
“It’s a fun project that gives us a chance to use our skills,” Price said. “It’s also a project that looks good on résumés because it is a very involved project.”
Haycock said Utah has historically done well in this involved project, typically placing two cars in the top 10 every year.
Price said last year USU placed third overall, behind BYU’s second-place finish. USU also received second place in the endurance competition, which is one of the highest-scoring opportunities, he said.
Ence said in addition to the physical competitions, the teams give a sales presentation of their vehicles to a panel of judges which provides further real-world opportunity.
Haycock said, “Every once in a while a professor gets the opportunity to help his or her students bridge that gap between the academic world and the real world. The Mini Baja is one of those opportunities.”
Teams meet on USU’s campus Wednesday for check-in and judges meeting. Thursday, the Mini Baja cars and teams will be on the Quad, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for safety inspections and for viewing of the public. Students are welcome to look at the vehicles and ask team members questions, Ence said. The completions will be held Friday and Saturday in Hyrum. All of the events are free to the public.
For more information on event sights and times, students may log on to www.mae.usu.edu/minibajaevent/schedule.html.
“It’s only 10-horse power,” Haycock said. “But you’d be surprised what they can do with 10-horse power.”