Penn College Baja SAE
Message from the Team
We’ve traveled more than 20,000 miles to test our skills, and this year, we traveled less than 10 miles to Baja SAE Williamsport held at the Penn College Heavy Equipment Operations Site. The international event attracted 100-plus teams and about 1800 competitors. And we placed fourth in the endurance race and 10th overall!
Competition Details
The SAE Collegiate Design Series competition requires schools to design, manufacture, and build a single-seat, all-terrain vehicle. Following two days of technical inspections and presentations, the teams compete in a series of dynamic events that challenge all aspects of their handiwork.
Penn College's Competition History
For a decade we’ve placed among the nation’s elite at the Baja SAE Collegiate Design competitions. 15 top-10 finishes in the endurance race, including wins in 2022 at Baja SAE Tennessee Tech and Baja SAE Rochester besting the likes of Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue, Cornell, Rochester Institute of Technology, Case Western Reserve, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Auburn, Texas A&M, and ETS Montreal!
Team Goals
This year we plan updates to our suspension dynamics and braking system. During the two races in Williamsport and Michigan, our car performed well in the straights and corners but would lose speed over bumps and jumps. To remedy this, we have acquired a new shock dyno and plan to make custom length shocks. We are considering making our own brake calipers and master cylinders to cut down on weight and reduce the overall footprint of the caliper inside of the front wheel. We aim to greatly improve our endurance race placement by making these changes.
We invite your support!
Our success is the culmination of years of effort by past teams who established and built upon a solid foundation. The realization of how many teams before us have been aiming for this makes our wins somewhat surreal. We are grateful for the alumni who built a solid foundation before us and the supporters who continue to empower us. We are able to do what we do because of the support received from individuals and sponsors. Monetary donations and gifts of raw materials, tooling, or miscellaneous supplies help our team operate efficiently and compete on an international stage.
Our People
Marshall Fowler '24, Former Baja SAE Club President
Alum
The Baja team brings real-world application to a student-level learning event. Every aspect of our car is designed, manufactured, and tested by students of the team.
Engineering & Industrial Design Technology
Read the Blog Post
Dakota Harrison '22, Flex-Cell Precision, Inc.
Alum
Helping lead the Baja team has by far been the most influential experience in the foundation of my career path. In this position, I am not only met with a great deal of my own adversity, but I regularly help lead others through theirs.
Automated Manufacturing & Machining
Meet Dakota
In the Media
Tomorrow Makers: A Penn College Podcast
Learn more about our team on the the Tomorrow Makers podcast.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Help us strengthen the legacy
The Road to Baja SAE Williamsport
In this director's cut, you’ll track the team’s journey to Baja SAE Williamsport. From construction of the frame and final assembly to inspection checks and the marquee endurance competition, we’ll take you behind the scenes. Meet the team. Hear what went into the making of this year’s car. And relive the excitement that defined 2024’s unforgettable event.
