The Observer, February 1, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 15
Case Baja Team
Walking into the machine shop in the basement of Bingham, you will probably find a team of students diligently working on their off-road racing vehicle, or Baja car.
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Baja competitions consist of multiple dynamic events as well as a four-hour endurance race. The events test the car's ability to do several tasks, including hill climbs, chain pulls, maneuverability events, rock crawls, and suspension and traction events. The Case team is currently getting ready for their upcoming competition in Montreal.
The team gives students hands-on opportunities and adds to their academic rigor, according to Jim Drake, the engineering shop instructor and the team's adviser. Although mostly made up of mechanical engineers, the team has students from all different majors, including business and psychology. Drake said that one particular business major has been extremely helpful organizing the business portions of the team and he plans on trying to keep a business major around.
Almost entirely student-run, Baja has proven to be useful to students both for applying knowledge learned in classes and as a way to help start a career. "Even if they don't go into design, if they just want to do project engineering, it's good to have hands- on experience," said Drake.
"There's no other place to get this kind of experience," said Shawn Dellinger, this year's team captain.
One thing that sets the Case Baja team apart from other teams at the competitions is that they begin with a new design each year. They learn from their mistakes and strive to make the best car that they can.
"Each year we learn a lot just by competing. In the past few years we've radically changed designs and, in order to accommodate that, it's much easier to start over than to build off of something that didn't work," said Dellinger.
This year the major modifications are focused on creating a lighter and shorter car with a shorter wheelbase. The designers are hoping that the modifications will increase maneuverability.
In order to build a new car each year, the team needs a lot of new materials. They are able to get the supplies that they need due to the fact that the team has very strong support from the Case Alumni Association. The Briggs & Stratton Corporation has been sponsoring SAE for over 25 years and provides each team with an engine at an extremely discounted price. In addition, the Baja team has several company sponsors, each one employing a former team member.
Although the team never places particularly high on the scoreboard, Drake says that they always come out on top. "These guys really challenge themselves, they're always pushing the envelope…they always do well because of what they take on."
The Case team has a good reputation at the competitions in spite of their scores. The competitions are a friendly environment where teams can learn from other teams and help each other out. A Venezuelan team that attends the competitions seeks out Case's trailer each year. Drake says that they always share tools and knowledge with other teams; it is especially helpful for teams, such as the Venezuelan one, that cannot bring as many tools.
When asked about the most valuable thing he has learned during his time spent working on the Baja team, Dellinger isn't exactly sure where to begin. "You can't really pin it down. It's taking an idea from drawings to an actual working prototype. On top of that, you've got all the management skills, between schoolwork, organizing yourselves, and getting money. The whole thing is just an experience; I can't really pinpoint one specific thing."
To learn more, or if you want to find out how to get involved, visit the Baja website at www.case.edu/orgs/baja/.
