 |
 |
 |
UA Baja Racing took a risk this year by trying a new concept previously not prominent in Baja SAE competitions. The 2008 design featured dual chain-driven swing arms powered through a high-low-reverse gearbox with an integrated locking differential. The front suspension consisted of parallel trailing arms, similar to pre-1971 Volkswagens. The team incorporated a utility truck bed into their design as well as high-low beam headlights. Fourteen members attended competition in Illinois at the Caterpillar Proving Grounds for Baja SAE West 2008. The team placed 33rd out of 120 with a vehicle weighing almost twice as much as other teams.
The Society of Automotive Engineers branded the name Baja SAE to replace the Mini-Baja Collegiate Design Series. In 2007 the Baja SAE program at the University of Arizona was revived with high-energy and low funding. The team adopted the name UA Baja Racing to replace a previously nameless organization. Three sophomores completed a working vehicle and participated in the Baja SAE 2007 competition at the South Dakota School for Mines & Technology. While the overall placement was nothing spectacular, the success story here was in the perseverance and dedication this new team exhibited.
Mini-Baja at the University of Arizona considered building a vehicle but did not reach completion for competition. The team missed registration for the West and Midwest events, thus leaving them with only the Eastern event. The 2006 team consisted of one senior and two freshmen.
Mini-Baja West was hosted in Green Valley, Arizona at the Caterpillar Proving Grounds. Unfortunately the University of Arizona team had very low membership and the vehicle was simply a chassis a week before competition. With little sleep and a lot of work the two members managed to piece a vehicle together and competed in Green Valley. The 2005 vehicle is often referred to as the "death-trap".
Senior Design at the University designed a vehicle for competition. No placement or competition data is available for this year. If you have any information pertaining to the 2003 team please contact a team member!
Senior Design designed a Mini-Baja vehicle to compete in Mini-Baja West. They placed 81st overall. Little is known about this year. If you have any information pertaining to the 2002 team please contact a team member!
Six team members built a design from scratch for Senior Design. The design was new and performed well for competition in Mini-Baja West. The vehicle placed 6th overall.
Two vehicles were entered in an unknown 1996 competition. According to historical reports these two vehicles were sub-par and did not perform well. If you have any information pertaining to this year please contact a team member!
Any information pre-1996 has been lost or simply not recorded. If you were a member, captain, or involved in any way with any of our previous teams please get in touch with us!