Baja

About
Directors
Past Vehicles
Gallery

What is Baja SAE?

Baja SAE is an intercollegiate design competition run by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). Teams of students from universities all over the world design and build small off-road cars. The cars all have engines of the same specifications. The goal in Baja SAE racing is to design, build and race off-road vehicles that can withstand the harshest elements of rough terrain. The vehicles used in Baja racing are often similar in appearance to dune buggies.

Bruin Racing Baja Team 2017-2018
Baja SAE Oregan 2018

Our Directors

Christian Hurley

Aerospace Engineering '19

Technical Director

My job is to make sure everything fits together and that nothing is over-looked on both the vehicle development and administrative sides of the project.

▹ churley@bruinracing.org

Simon Rufer

Mechanical Engineering '20

ECVT (Electro-mechanically actuated Continuously Variable Transmission)

The ECVT team is developing a custom actuated CVT dictated by a controls scheme to autonomously shift and change its gear ratio in order to maintain our engine at its optimal, highest power-output speed.

▹ srufer@bruinracing.org

Jeremy Engels

Mechanical Engineering '21

Chassis

The chassis subteam designs, assembles, and tests the tubular chassis as well as designing and fabricating body panels and decals for the car

▹ remy.engels@bruinracing.org

Matthew Lee

Mechanical Engineering '21

Powertrain

The powertrain subteam designs, manufactures, and tests the gearbox and the half-shaft assemblies.

▹ matthew.lee@bruinracing.org

Will Argus

Electrical Engineering '19

Electronics and Data Aquisition

Data Aquisition’s purpose is to design and implement sensors and other electronics both on and off the baja car for the purpose of collecting data to be used in designing future cars, as well as tuning the current car.

▹ wargus@uclaracing.org

Kevin Shen

Mechanical Engineering '20

Vehicle Dynamics and Controls

Work with suspension, braking, steering, and ergonomics. Made the floating rotors, steering rack, etc.

▹ kevin.shen@bruinracing.org

Nathan Beak

Mechanical Engineering '20

Keerthi Pradaa Balajee

Electrical Engineering '20

Business.

In charge of budgeting, corporate partnerships and acquiring sponsorships, applying for funding, etc.

▹ nathan.beak@bruinracing.org
▹ keerthipradaa@bruinracing.org

Past Vehicles

Model 19 – In Production

Model 19 will feature Bruin Racing’s ECVT transmission debut, and it will be the third ever ECVT created for the Baja SAE competition. This highly efficient transmission coupled with light and reliable spool axel will be able to deliver maximum power to the ground.

▹Technical Director: Christian Hurley

Model 18 – Purple Car

Model 18 scored an 11th place finish in the maneuverability event at Baja SAE Kansas 2018. The vehicle featured a lockable differential that maximized traction and maneuverability as the competition demanded, while floating brake rotors improved braking reliability.

▹Technical Director: Ellen Kim

Model 17 – Orange Car

Model 17 was an exceptionally light vehicle, leading to a 15th place finish in Baja SAE California’s acceleration event.

▹Technical Director: Iyal Suresh
▹Financial Director: Aditya Maniyar

Model 16 – Grey Car

Model 16 achieved an 11th place overall finish in Baja SAE California in 2016 and 15th in Baja SAE Tennessee Tech. The reliable suspension and drivetrain enabled Model 16 to complete the California Endurance Race in 8th place without any mechanical failures. A rare feat in the competition.

▹Technical Director: Seth Baker
▹Team Principal: Nirav Mehta
▹Financial Director: Aditya Maniyar

Model 15 – Green Car

Model 15 placed 17th overall in Baja SAE Auburn in 2015. A well-designed steering system with a light steering rack allowed the driver to quickly negotiate corners, leading to 4th place finish in the maneuverability event.

▹Technical Director: Wudhidham Pachumsri

Model 14 – Pink Car

Model 14 placed 5th overall in Baja SAE Kansas 2014. The small chassis, high reduction and cutting brake, gave the car exceptional maneuverability. Model 14 took first place in the Hill Climb event and first place in overall Dynamic Events Score.