What is Baja SAE?
Baja SAE is a competition series organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for engineering students to simulate real-world engineering design projects. Each year, teams are tasked with designing, constructing, and testing a single-seat off-road vehicle in preparation for several dynamic and static competition events. Teams use a standardized single-cylinder engine, emphasizing vehicle design rather than engine power. Students are also responsible for planning and managing all business-related elements of the project.
Competition
Static Events
The static events of a competition include the technical inspection, business presentation, and design judging. In tech inspection, vehicles are examined to ensure complete adherence to the rules and safety requirements before being allowed to participate in the other events. For the business presentation, teams must compete for a fake contract to mass produce vehicles for a specific customer, who’s requirements change annually. This bid is presented to “executives” who provide a score based on the validity of the pitch and presentation skills of the team.
Dynamic Events
The dynamic events are where most of the fun lies and include the acceleration test, sled pull, maneuverability course, and endurance race. Events like the acceleration test and sled pull serve to test specific performance characteristics of the car. The endurance race occurs on the final day of the competition, which pits all of the teams against each other in a four-hour wheel-to-wheel race. Points are awarded to each team based on time and distance, which are combined with the points earned in the static events.