Day 1
Design Presentation
Design presentations are traditionally completed onsite at the competition. Every participating team’s buggy is on display as judges walk around giving each team an opportunity to present their design innovations with the goal of wowing the judges and gaining bonus points.
Technical Inspection
Here is where the team finds out how well they read and followed the rules. There are several parts to this event — from ensuring the engine is running correctly and safety shut off switches are functional, to validating driver safety gear and timing driver vehicle egress (demonstrating the ability for the driver to exit the vehicle in under five seconds, fully belted into position). Any item that does not pass MUST be fixed in order to compete. Once this inspection is complete, you can move on to 4WD check and brake check. To pass these events, the vehicle must demonstrate all four wheels moving under power and all four wheels locking up, stopping the vehicle while it stays in a straight line.
Day 2
Assuming that you made it through all the inspections on day one — congratulations! You now have time to meet the vendors, network with industry partners, check out other team’s vehicles and utilize the test track for final adjustments and driver practice. It’s time to get everything fixed that prevented you from passing tech and give it another chance!
Day 3
Dynamic events time!
Hope you picked the right drivers as these events are not a walk in the park. Many teams do not complete these events or have catastrophic vehicle failures during them. Each event is judged by how far you go and how quickly you get there!
Day 4
Endurance Race
Four hours of grueling punishment will cause team after team to drop from the race as both the driver and the buggy succumb to fatigue and failure. Be sure your pit crew is prepared to make repairs and get you back out on the track.
USD Baja Buggies
Torero Racing through the years
Join Our Winning Team
Are you up for the challenge?
This unique experience will prepare you in a variety of disciplines for future employment in mobility-related industries while honing your budgeting, communication, project management and resource management skills. So, if you have the slightest desire to work in the automotive or aerospace industry, this is the door you need to walk through to make that happen. If you are up for the challenge, the first step is to join USD’s SAE club to begin your adventure, and after you finish the Baja SAE capstone design experience you will be ready to take the industry by the horns!