"We learned a lot from the East Race: held April 8-11, 2010 in Greenville, South Carolina, where our cars rear wheels locked and the gearbox cracked leaving us unable to finish in that competition,” says Rob Dzieciol, president and junior mechanical engineering student. “Our Rochester results are encouraging and a great reward for our hard work on the car!”

UVM students returned this week from the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) Mini-Baja Midwest Water Race held June 10-13, in Rochester, New York, where a total of 93 teams competed in three water events judged on acceleration, maneuverability, and suspension. During the Rochester event the UVM team placed 19th in suspension, 30th in maneuverability, 31st in endurance, 38th overall, and 45th in acceleration.

Blog from Rob: "Our gearbox held together and there were no other major problems so we were able to run the entire endurance race where we finished 31st. We ended up 38th overall. In Acceleration we placed 45th –about the same as in the South Carolina event. We also placed about the same place in the hill climb because the back tires were spinning and we couldn't make it to the top - only 15 cars actually made it up the hill - most cars were scored by distance.

"In the water event our car floated with our original foam but it could not right itself from the 30 degree tilt until we added more foam to pass the tilt test. And in the water we had problems with the cvt getting wet and slipping making it hard to drive up the boat launch to exit and we had to wait for the belt to dry before we could drive away. We then sealed the cvt guard with duct tape which helped a little bit."

The SAE hosts a collegiate design series every year known as "Mini Baja." Universities from around the world work each year to design, build, test, and race highly competitive vehicles. Specific rules govern vehicle aspects such as chassis design and engine model (all teams must use an identical 10hp Briggs & Stratton engine) but designs vary greatly from school to school and year to year.

The UVM Mini Baja (AKA: Catamount Racing) became a club in 1999 started by seven senior mechanical engineering students. Despite limited funds, tools and shop space, an eager team successfully built and raced their first vehicle in the spring of 2000. In addition to faculty support within the UVM College of Engineering, the team receives a generous budget each year from the UVM Student Government Association. Outside funding through local sponsors, Briggs & Stratton, CEMS, Control Resources, DR Power, Goodrich Corp, Honeywell, Pizzagalli, Polaris, and The University of Vermont, allow the team to travel to three national events each year.

To view pictures of the UVM Mini Baja visit: http://www.catamountracing.com/Pages/Media/09-10.html

Source: University of Vermont College of Engineering & Mathematical Sciences 6.29.2010