Union’s mini-Baja Team can take a victory lap for its recent performance in the rough-and-tumble road race put on by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
The SAE’s Mini-Baja East Competition, held in Cookeville, Tennessee, challenged 90 teams from the United States and Canada to design, build, promote, test and race a small single seat off-road vehicle in everything from water maneuverability to endurance. All of the vehicles, which resemble dune buggies, were powered by a Briggs and Stratton 10hp motor.
“A huge part of learning to be an engineer is applying what we learn in the classroom to a real project,” said Matt Beenen ’09, team captain. “With a small school like Union, even freshmen are able to jump in and get their hands dirty, right away.”
Joining Beenen in the three-day intercollegiate design competition were team members Emmitt O'Connell ’11, Aaron Levine ’10, Ned Lincoln ’09, Nick Oren ’11, Joe Polcari ’10, Ryan Skeuse ’10 and Jon Wilson ’09.
“It’s a collective effort,” said Brad Bruno, assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering and the team’s advisor, who is valued for his expertise with internal combustion engines. “The students do all of the really hard work – everything from fundraising to design to driving.”
Awards are given in seven categories: technical inspection, acceleration, water and land maneuverability, sled pull, suspension and traction, and endurance. The Union-built car achieved its best overall finish this year, 17th, and the team was particualrly excited about placing seventh in the endurance category on a course that traverses woods and contains extreme terrain and water conditions.
“The sense of accomplishment in that race was overwhelming,” Beenan said. “Leaving our car in the winners’ circle as many other big names schools looked on was just great.”
The mini-Baja teams work with a number of professional organizations and sponsors. A new sponsor this year was the Gloversville, N.Y.-based Taylor Made Group. The company, one of the boating industry’s largest manufacturers and suppliers, is owned by brothers James W. Taylor ’66 and John E. Taylor ’74. James is a noted automobile collector and international road rally participant.
Beenan, a self-described automotive enthusiast, said he’s already reaping rewards from his labor of love, having recently accepted an internship with Polaris Industries, the competition’s largest sponsor. And he’s looking ahead to next year, when he, Wilson and Lincoln plan to build a second car from scratch for a possible senior project.
And, of course, Baja beckons.
“There are countless nights when we swear to ourselves that we’ll never do Baja again,” Beenan said, “but going to competition at the end of the season completely rejuvenates the drive to improve and learn from our mistakes.”
For more on the mini-Baja team, visit: http://www.vu.union.edu/~baja/home.html .