UAB Blazer Motorsports Baja SAE

The goal of the SAE BAJA competition is to give students real-world experience in a practical setting for what it takes to bring a product from initial conception, sales and marketing to a potential manufacturer, to delivery of a working prototype.  An important component is fostering the student’s capacity to work with a large, diverse team of professionals. The Blazer Motorsports Team includes students from Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Business.  While the team’s goal is to do as well in the competition as possible, the intangible value of educating young engineers to work in a hands-on environment extends well beyond the prospect of bringing home a trophy for the University.  

It should come as no surprise that many potential employers single out participation in the SAE BAJA as a primary identifier of distinction in a potential employee – it demonstrates the student’s capacity to collaborate on an interdisciplinary team with the goal of developing a product to meet customer needs – and develop a valuable skillset outside the confines of the traditional classroom.

The 2017 competition culminates with a series of dynamic trials, held in May at Pittsburg State University, and includes acceleration, sled pull, maneuverability and suspension and endurance events.  Competitive evaluations of the design considerations, cost reports, and sales presentation are also part of the event. Each team competes to have its design accepted for manufacture by a fictitious firm, with the goal of designing and building a single-seat, all-terrain vehicle to serve the recreational user market, sized at approximately 4000 units per year. 

Of course, this huge undertaking requires resources – both time and money – and we are seeking sponsors to help defray the costs of materials and travel. A sampling of the costs we have incurred include a $1200 entry fee, $900 for frame materials, $2400 for engine/drivetrain components, $1800 for suspension/steering, and $900 for brakes/wheels. The cost of transportation and lodging in of itself, costs another $8000 for the entire team. With that in mind, we are heavily contemplating the possibility that the students have to pay for their own transportation and lodging in order to cut the costs. If that is the case, many of the key team members will be unable to attend.

We welcome any and all type of help, including donations and mentorships. My team and I are  extremely grateful for your time and support.

Please feel free to review one of our websites for more information on our cause:

UAB Blazer Motorsports Baja SAE: https://www.facebook.com/blazermotorsports/

Baja SAE Kansas:  http://students.sae.org/cds/bajasae/east/