All automotive engineers have one dream — to create their own sleek vehicle to race. For University students, one RSO makes it possible to do just that.

The Society of Automotive Engineers has an organization on campus called UIUC Baja SAE. This organization allows teams of students to design and build a vehicle, then enter it in competitions. 

Baja SAE is actually an international collegiate organization that hosts competitions both at college campuses in the U.S. as well as internationally in South Africa, Brazil and Korea.

Currently, the organization sponsors only three Baja competitions, held throughout the country each year. There are also less structured events that allow teams to exhibit their work. So far, UIUC’s team has attended Winter Baja at Northern Michigan University to display their vehicle. They plan to attend future competitions in Tennessee and Washington State this year. 

The purpose of these competitions is for teams to design, build, test, race and promote their vehicle. Competitors are then judged on the vehicle’s cost, design and performance. The most important rule is that each team must use a 10-horsepower engine by Briggs & Stratton. By setting this standard, the vehicles are then fairly judged by their design and drive line.

“Our vehicle must pass technical inspections and challenging dynamic events such as driving 100 yards through two feet of mud, climbing steep grades, maneuvering around tight corners, passing through a course filled with boulders, logs and debris, [and] then complete a four-hour endurance race,” said Katie Birkel, captain and senior in Engineering. 

Every year a new vehicle must be made. The team usually spends first semester designing and second semester building and testing before competing. This year’s car will be named “New Orange Car” or “Lily.” 

“It is a complete overhaul compared to previous years’ cars,” said Paul Hummon, co-captain and senior in Engineering. “We took a look at what other successful teams have done and are modeling our car off of that. We spent a lot of time in Computer Aided Design in order to have a full plan layout of the car before we started building.”

Because of the expensive materials required for these vehicles, Baja SAE works with approximately 18 sponsors ranging from Caterpillar to Lockheed Martin in order to receive proper funding as well as recruiting opportunities. 

“We couldn’t do what we do without our sponsors. Building a car from scratch is really expensive; we typically calculate a cost of $14k in our report,” Birkle said.

In return for this financial help, the team helps in promoting the companies through their vehicle designs.   

“Our sponsors also provide us with parts or services at substantially reduced prices, and in return they get a logo on the car,” said Chris Herrera, captain and senior in Engineering. “At the end of the season we send out framed certificates to all who have helped us.”

With the help of these companies, the University’s chapter of Baja SAE has been able to thrive for a decade and has seen much success.

“Historically, our team has done well. We were in the top 15 out of 100 cars in both 2009 and 2010,” Hummon said. “The past two years, however, have been a disappointment. This year has had much stronger leadership though and we are shooting to be in the top 20 again.”

With the amount of dedication and hard work the team has contributed to creating the best car, its members hope to be able give back to the organization that has shaped their college experience. 

Jolie can be reached at [email protected].