Baja Team races off-roading car in four-day international competition

Awards
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This year’s design features four-wheel independent suspension, tight turning radius, continuously variable transmission, custom CNC’d gearbox with reverse and differential, 3-D printed load-bearing suspension components, and a lightweight frame.
This year’s design features four-wheel independent suspension, tight turning radius, continuously variable transmission, custom CNC’d gearbox with reverse and differential, 3-D printed load-bearing suspension components, and a lightweight frame.

Earlier this month, eight members of the Case Western Reserve University Baja Team packed up their trailer and drove south to Auburn, Ala., to compete in an international competition run by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Every year since 2001, students on the Baja Team have designed, manufactured and raced a custom off-roading vehicle. Using a variety of manual machines, computer numerical control (CNC) milling machines, rapid prototyping and support from local companies, the team was able to construct a high-performing vehicle for this competition season.

In the four-day competition against 100 teams from around the world, the team earned top spots in the following events:

  • 10th in 100-foot acceleration
  • 24th in Maneuverability
  • 20th in Design
  • 14th in Sales

The team will spend the next few weeks modifying the car and testing to optimize performance for their next competition in Baltimore, Md., in early May.

Learn more about the Baja Team by emailing baja-leaders@case.edu or visiting cwrubaja.com.