Student team glides to victory on plastic bearings

At the University of Central Florida competition, the team captured first place in overall design, endurance, and overall performance, and second place in suspension & traction, design report, and oral judging.

The team also claimed first place in endurance and suspension & traction and second place in overall design and overall performance at the Rochester Institute of Technology competition. The team used iglide Q plastic bearings from igus Inc. for pivot points in the rear suspension and throttle and brake controls. The bearings reduced vehicle weight and withstood the rigors of the all-weather, multi-terrain events without maintenance. igus supported the team for the second year in a row by donating the bearings.

The Baja events challenge college students to take a vehicle design from concept to competition, combining engineering, project management, and commercialization. All vehicles run on donated Briggs & Stratton 10-hp OHV Intek engines and must complete challenges including a sled pull, mud bog, and deep-water, endurance, and land courses that test traction, suspension, and maneuverability. Vehicles are also judged on design and presentations by the teams.

A student-designed and driven vehicle competes in SAE’s Baja challenge.

The 2007 Université de Sherbrooke SAE Baja team poses with its winning vehicle.