Baja Buckeyes / Competition Update / Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
The Baja Buckeyes student team was one of 105 college teams present at the latest competition at Rochester Institute of Technology. Here are updates from team staff advisor, Darrin Orr. View photos of the mud-covered team here!
Day 1 – Thursday, June 6 – RIT Campus
The Baja Buckeyes arrived on the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) campus on Thursday evening and were among 105 universities registered for this competition. Shortly after registration, they had to re-assemble the vehicle. This was necessary because of a minor collision with a tree during a practice session in Columbus... typical Baja stuff. The team managed to straighten the frame and weld new bracing members into the vehicle prior to the trip to New York.
Day 2 – Friday, June 7 – Static Events – RIT Campus
The Baja Buckeyes completed their design presentations and technical inspections today. While waiting for the results from the design presentations, there were only three minor tasks to complete in order to pass the technical inspection. The work was completed late tonight and the team was ready for re-inspection the next morning.
Static Results:
Tech Inspection - Re-check needed next day
Design Evaluation - 105 out of 150
Cost Report - 3 out of 15 (team is looking into ways to improve these scores)
Cost Prototype - 0 out of 85
Day 3 – Saturday, June 8 – Dynamic Events (Acceleration, Hill Climb, Maneuverability and Suspension) / Hogback Hill (Motocross Track)
Technical Inspection (Re-Check) - Passed
Brake Check (vehicle must lock-up all 4 wheels on pavement) - Passed
Acceleration (100 ft) - 5.94 sec. (18th fastest car!)
Hillclimb (90 ft) - 11.5 sec.
Maneuverability - DNF (did not finish): car could not make tight turns
Suspension - 138 ft.
Day 4 – Sun 6/9 – Endurance Race (4 Hours) / Hogback Hill (Motocross Track)
The object is to complete as many laps as possible in this 4 hour race. Ninety cars passed technical inspection to form the starting grid. The Baja Buckeyes started from the 18th position! These positions were based off the acceleration times from the previous day's dynamic events.
The team managed to complete three hours before braking a tie-rod which caused a half-shaft to fall out. It took half an hour for the track crew to tow the car back to the trailer. Once it arrived, the repair was completed within 15 minutes and the team managed to re-enter the race to complete 2 more laps for a total of 20. The race leader, University of Louisville, completed 37 laps.
Final placement information will be released by the governing body at a later date. Stay tuned!
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