Chirco Bugtoberfest

It was the first official outing of the 2008 UA Baja Racing Team. The team was invited by Chirco Automotive Center to enter their 2007 vehicle in their annual car show. Though the team's car did not win, the owner of Chirco decided that he wanted to sponsor the team and their 2008 vehicle. The show not only helped the team gain a new sponsor, but they also collected new ideas for the 2008 vehicle. One of these ideas included the front end suspension.

COE Off-Road

In January 2008, the College of Engineering approached UA Baja. They requested to create a segment featuring the team and the 2007 vehicle. The segment began with the introduction of the team, and then proceeded to Reddington Pass where the 2007 vehicle displayed its skills in off-roading. It raced over the dirt and rocks and even attempted driving full speed into a giant puddle. This did not bode well, a huge wave washed over the car and shut the engine of, leaving the car and driver stranded in the puddle. The team was able to attach a tow strap to the car and successfully pull it from the puddle. No harm came to the car, which is evident in the fact that the team decided to drive into the puddle again.

COE Recruiting in Phoenix

On February 15th, 2008 The UA Baja Racing Team drove to the University of Arizona Campus in Phoenix, Arizona. Once there, they parked their vehicle in front of the building. The team then proceeded to introduce their team to the high school students attending the recruiting seminar. The presentation lasted for five minutes, and provided the listeners with all the information they would need about joining the team. Once the presentation ended, the team returned to their vehicle and began answering the questions of interested parents and students.

2008 Vehicle Testing 1 - Chimney Rock

It was the first official test day for the UA Baja Racing Team's 2008 vehicle. The team drove the car to Chimney Rock in Reddington Pass. The car tested its rock crawling capabilities and scaled countless hills and rock formations. After thirty minutes of driving, the team encountered a problem; due to a previous issue involving the bending of one of the parallel bars within the front suspension, one of the torsion arms bent without the team's knowledge. While testing the vehicle, it became noticeable by the fact that one of the front wheels would lean outward. Seeing the problem, the team packed up and returned to the shop.

2008 Vehicle Testing 2 - Tucson Washes

April of 2008 served as UA Baja's primary testing month. The team visited an off-road arena in Tucson neighboring a network of dried up washes to test the endurance capabilities of the 2008 vehicle. A mile long loop was established with several jumps and obstacles to navigate and every member present was able to drive! The majority of the terrain was gravel and loose silt; prime for testing the traction ability of the vehicle. Testing lasted for six hours when the team decided to pack up and head to the shop; vehicle still in great working order!

2008 Vehicle Testing 3 - Charouleau's Gap

It was the last day of testing for the team. This trip, like the one to Chimney Rock, served as a way to tests the vehicle's rock crawling ability. The team tested the car's limits, pushing it to climb seemingly impossible rocks, and watched amazed as it achieved the impossible. One goal however, was impossible. One rock was too much for the car to handle. Unwilling to accept defeat, the team continued to try. In their hearts they knew the vehicle would not make it, which was later confirmed when the car, trying to reverse and realign with the rock, flipped over landing upside down. Though some obstacles could not be conquered, the team declared the day successful.