The goal of our Binghamton University Mini-Baja Team is to design, fabricate, and test a durable off-road vehicle to excel at the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) international Mini-Baja competition.
About the team
We are a group of hardworking and dedicated undergraduate engineers whose mission is to work together from September through June on every step of the Mini-Baja project. The project covers every aspect of research and design, and is only complete when the team finishes building a completely new off-road vehicle that competes in the annual SAE intercollegiate Mini-Baja competition.
The Baja SAE competition gives engineering students such as ourselves invaluable hands-on experience in research, design, stress analysis, manufacturing, engineering economics, teamwork, and project management. In other words, this competition is the culmination of what we have learned from our four years of mechanical, electrical and industrial systems engineering classes in Binghamton University's Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Our Binghamton Baja team is entirely student run. Each team member is in charge of unique parts of the project. The team is comprised of several sub-teams including drivetrain, frame and cockpit, suspension, and electrical. We manufacture many of our own parts as well as work together with local companies to build an off-road vehicle that adheres to all of the Baja SAE rules, is finished on schedule, and will dominate the competition.
The Competition
To win the competition, our team must design and build a vehicle that performs well in terms of speed, acceleration, maneuverability, and ruggedness over rough terrain and off-road conditions throughout multiple dynamic events. The competition also includes static events, which include a design presentation and a business report. Teams are required to understand and follow the rules during these events, as well as be able to justify each and every design decision.
We cannot succeed without your help. An important part of the Baja SAE competition is generating financial support for the project. We have a big project ahead of us and we need support throughout every stage, especially because we are one of the newer teams competing against very well established teams. Anything that you can contribute will make a big difference for us and will be greatly appreciated.
This year, not only do we have to improve our design, but we also have to re-fabricate the frame and drivetrain, as well as purchase many new parts, including a new engine. Your support will make it possible for us to realize our dream of being serious contenders in the 2017 Baja SAE competition.
We thank you for your support,
The Baja Car Team
Thanks to our sponsors!
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