University Of Virginia SAE Mini-Baja

Baja Alabama SAE proved to be quite the gumption test for the Virginia Baja Racing team. Issues with the chain drive system kept the team out of competition for most of the dynamics day. Despite the early troubles the team managed to keep to it, even at early hours in the morning, and eventually patched together a drivetrain which would last the grueling endurance race which concludes every competition. In fact the team posted an impressive performance in Sunday’s four hour race; keeping on the track for the longest duration since the team’s tank, affectionately named Beast Heavy, ruled the road. With the two months until the next race at Wisconsin, the team optimistically begins the rebuilding process confident in a much more competitive showing in June.

Kyle Lamson

Vice President, VBR

The Virginia Baja Racing team would again like to invite everyone to our 2nd Annual Launch Event. The 2009 kart again appears to be prepared to set school ranking records, with a wide variety of iterative and original advances from previous year’s cars. The Launch Event will again take place in Darden Court at Thorton Hall at the University of Virginia between 11am and 1pm. All are welcome to come and support the team as they present their designs and production.

Kyle Lamson, Webmaster VBR 2009

Virginia Baja Racing is getting off to a great start in 2008.  We have already begun construction of this year’s frame, we have finished fabrication of the roll hoop and constructed a mock-up of the front tub.  For the first time, we’re heading to one of the endurance tracks we’ll face in the spring to do some testing with some other teams.  This weekend, we’re going down to Auburn to drive and practice on their 2006 endurance track.  In November, we’re going to a Motocross track north of Louisville for a midnight race.

On Monday, April 21st Virginia Baja Racing will be holding the official 2008 car lanch event. Come join us in Darden court (the grass courtyard in the middle of Thornton Hall) from 4-6 pm to check out UVa’s most competitve car yet. Team members will be presenting their designs and answering any questions about the new car. Stop by anytime you like, the event is open house style so even if you just want to take a quick look come on by.

Philip Moir, Virginia Baja Racing Vice President

The front and rear suspension teams worked hard this weekend and the Baja team was able to put the buggy on the ground for the first time on Monday afternoon. Team members took turns sitting in the Mini-Baja and the suspensions were tested by bouncing the baja car up and down. This is a big step for the Virginia team and it feels great to see the months of work come to fruition. Currently the baja is running with prototype rockers and spare control arms. Out of house, custom fabricated rockers and control arms are on the way to the team.

Phil
University of Virginia Baja Team Vice Captain

Returning University of Virginia Baja team members took newly recruited Virginia Baja members out to the Baja work shop for an orientation. The new UVa Baja members were shown the machines and capabilities that we have at the Milton Airfield Baja shop and everyone had some fun driving the 2005, 2006, and 2007 Baja cars.

Welcome back to Virginia Baja Racing! The team learned a lot in 2007 and we have grand plans for the 2008 Baja car. The Baja team has been divided into 6 major design groups: Frame, Flotation & Water Propulsion, Front Suspension, Rear Suspension, Brakes, Powertrain. Each Baja design category has a team in charge of that portion of the car. Design will begin immediately so that the Baja car can be built early and we can perform plenty of testing.