UVM students returned this week from the Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE) Mini-Baja Midwest Water Race held June 10-13, in Rochester, New York, where a total  of 93 teams competed in three water events judged on acceleration, maneuverability, and suspension.  During the Rochester event the UVM team placed 19^th in suspension, 30^th in maneuverability 31^st in endurance, 38^th overall, and 45^th in acceleration

"We learned a lot from the East Race held April 8-11, 2010 in Greenville, South Carolina. Our car's rear wheels locked and the gearbox cracked leaving us unable to finish in that competition," says Rob Dzieciol, president and junior mechanical engineering student. "Our Rochester results are encouraging and a great reward for our hard work on the car."

Blog from Rob:

Our gearbox held together and there were no other major problems so we were able to run the entire endurance race where we finished 31st.  We ended up 38th overall.  In Acceleration we placed 45th -about the same as in the South Carolina event.  We also placed about the same place in the hill climb because the back tires were spinning and we couldn't make it to the top. Only 15 cars actually made it up the hill; most cars were scored by distance. 

In the water event our car floated with our original foam but it could not right itself from the 30 degree tilt until we added more foam to pass the tilt test.   And in the water we had problems with the cvt getting wet and slipping making it hard to drive up the boat launch to exit and we had to wait for the belt to dry before we could drive away.  We then sealed the cvt guard with duct tape which helped a little bit.

The SAE hosts a collegiate design series every year known as "Mini Baja." Universities from around the world work each year to design, build, test, and race highly competitive vehicles. Specific rules govern vehicle aspects such as chassis design and engine model (all teams must use an identical 10hp Briggs & Stratton engine) but designs vary greatly from school to school and year to year.

The UVM Mini Baja (AKA: Catamount Racing) became a club in 1999 started by 7 senior mechanical engineering students.  Despite limited funds, tools and shop space, an eager team successfully built and raced their first vehicle in the spring of 2000. In addition to faculty support within the UVM College of Engineering, the team receives a generous budget each year from the UVM Student Government Association. Outside funding through local sponsors, Briggs & Stratton, CEMS, Control Resources, DR Power, Goodrich Corp., Honeywell, Pizzagalli, Polaris and The University of Vermont, allow the team to travel to three national events each year.

To view pictures of the UVM Mini Baja visit the Catamount Racing site.

Team members
President - Robert Dzieciol, a junior in mechanical engineering, from Scranton, PA
Vice President - Owen Teetor, a sophomore in mechanical engineering, from Poultney, VT
Treasurer - Elliott Jenks, a junior in mechanical engineering, with a minor in Math, from Gorham, ME
Secretary - Sam Flinkström, a sophomore in mechanical engineering, from South Berwick, ME
Michael Strand, a junior in mechanical engineer, from Roxbury NY
Dominic Ruggieri, a senior in mechanical engineering from Hillsdale, NJ
Pat Brooks, a senior in mechanical engineering, from West Chester, PA
Tyler Arnold, a freshman in mechanical engineering, from Grafton, MA
Phil Foerester, a freshman in mechanical engineering, from Randolph, NJ
Michael Messer, a sophomore in mechanical engineering, from New Rochelle, NY