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BAJA “ SHOWS UP WITH A BOX OF PARTS AND TAKES
HOME TROPHIES ”
A Virginia Tech student team finished their strongest year in group history in an annual intercollegiate design competition run by the Society of Automotive Engineers ( SAE ).
Baja is a rugged competition challenging student teams to design , build and race off-road vehicles that can withstand the harshest elements of rough terrain . The small vehicles , resembling dune buggies , pit teams against one another to drive innovation .
Following a record showing in Tuscon , Arizona , Virginia Tech ’ s Baja team finished their competition year with more success at the final validation event in Louisville , Kentucky .
At Louisville , the team finished fifth out of 61 teams , came in second on the hill climb challenge , won second place in the suspension and traction couse , placed fifth in maneuverability , and fifth in acceleration . Virginia Tech was also one of only three teams able to complete the challenging suspension and traction course .
One of the strongest factors for their success was in a unique approach : they threw out the four-wheel drive system that most of their competitors used and built an entirely new one . The result was a fourwheel system that was simpler and lighter than most in the competition , operating the front and rear wheels in sets instead of independently .
The team used sprag clutches on the front wheels , so when the rear wheels slip , the front wheels quickly engage . This allowed the vehicle to use its power more effectively when hitting tough spots , and also