UCLA Engineering: UCLA Engineer Magazine

UCLA Mini Baja Achieves Best Finish to Date

By Nick Herron, UCLA Mini Baja Team

The 2006 Society of Automotive Engineers Mini-Baja competition went well. UCLA—which placed 38th out of the 80-plus teams that competed —recorded its best overall finish yet.

The UCLA chapter has been participating in the Mini-Baja project for seven years, and continually improves its sophistication and organization. Each team designs, manufactures, and tests an off-road buggy, which is then unveiled to judges by careening over desert dunes or flying through twisty motocross tracks.

The three-day 2006 Mini Baja West competition began with design and sales presentations. The day unfolded very smoothly for our team. The top ten cars for day one were announced first thing the next morning. In eighth place, much to the Bruins’ delight, was UCLA, its first top ten finish after day one! This was a combination of an eighth place finish in design, comprised of a written report and oral presentation, along with a 11th place finish for the sales presentation, both team bests.

The race events—acceleration, hill climb, maneuverability, and rock crawl —were just beginning and UCLA was ready to tackle them with full force. Our dynamic event placing—22nd in acceleration, 34th in hill climb, and 48th in maneuverability—were decent enough to maintain good overall placement. Unfortunately, engine problems and minor driver errors resulted in scores that were not indicative of the capabilities of the vehicle. However, the final event, rock crawl, went very well. We snagged our vehicle in the same place every other team did on the first attempt. However, on the second attempt we adjusted our approach angle and attacked the rocks very aggressively. The suspension and drive train really shone on this event for a ninth place finish.

On the third day of competition the endurance race began. Unfortunately,we suffered in the endurance race for our success on the rock crawl, and completed only eight laps (compared to the high of 30). After our first five laps the right side, grade eight rod-end that connected the lower front A-arm to the knuckle sheared off, most likely due to the stress placed on it during the rock crawl. We quickly replaced that and re-entered the race. Next the belly pan came loose, which we quickly riveted back on. Then the right rear trailing arm bent pretty severely which sent us back to our trailer. We heated the flange, bent it back into place, re-welded it, and got back on the track. After one half lap it bent again, which marked the end of the race for the Bruins.

This was the best year yet for the UCLA team; we were more prepared mentally and mechanically then ever before. This resulted from the most focused engineering and testing efforts ever put forth by the team. We’re excited to build on this year’s experience and success, and know that next year we’ll do even better!

Photo courtesy of UCLA Mini Baja