2008 Mini-Baja and Formula SAE Competitions

October 2008 – Dustin Bride

Members of the USF chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) traveled more than 10,000 miles this summer and lived on a bus for 60 days as they competed in the Baja and Formula SAE competitions.  For the last year, approximately ten to fifteen students have devoted massive quantities of time and effort to designing and fabricating two distinct vehicles – a off-road buggy (Baja) and a scaled down Formula racer (Formula SAE).  Their hard work and dedication has paid off.  USF ventured out internationally this year, with a race in Montreal, Canada.  The competition just happened to take place just a day after an actual Formula 1 race, therefore the team took a day off from their arduous racing schedule and was in attendance.

Out of 73 teams, USF SAE placed 19th overall with first place finishes in the cost event, and suspension and traction, and followed them up with a 2nd place finish in Land Maneuverability at the East competition in Cookeville Tennessee.  The East competition requires the Baja vehicles to propel themselves across a water obstacle, and always seem to be wrought with rain and mud.  The second competition took place in Peoria Illinois, and the team came through the competition absolutely fierce.  The overall standing was a 10th place finish with yet another first place in cost, a first place in land maneuverability, and a 3rd place in rock crawl.  The 3rd place rock crawl finish was the best in recent USF history.  The last Baja Competition was the best for the year; a fifth place overall was taken by USF at the race in Montreal.  USF won the 100 mile endurance race by a full lap!  Land Maneuverability was yet another first place finish.  There were 122 teams at the race in French Canada, so the racing competition was as competitive as ever.

In addition to the stormy weather that seems to be in Detroit every year, USF SAE ran into engine computer problems throughout the competition.  Unfortunately, these problems kept the team from completing any dynamic events.  Formula SAE events include autocross, skid-pad, acceleration, and braking.  The problems have since been resolved, and the new USF Formula SAE vehicle has half the frame completed in the first third of the year - a feat that has not happened in the history of the program.   

The Society of Automotive Engineers at USF is always interested in new members, regardless of major or experience.  Please e-mail Dustin Bride at dustinbride@gmail.com for more information, and visit the USF SAE website.

Contacts:

Dustin Bride – President                (727) 460-7189

Joseph Elder – Formula Captain (850) 543-8721

Kevin Kotal – Baja Captain            (863) 255 3633