The ultimate event of Baja SAE 2014 is here. Student made ATVs have finally hit the truck and going round and round in the 3.5KM truck. Out of 123 teams, almost 90-95 teams were qualified for the endurance test (post the technical inspection in which few teams were eliminated). The off -road trucks which poses tougher hurdles even for a polaris ranger is a Himalayan task for student made ATVs. However with the determination and team work, students are taking the track test with loads of joy and passion. Right from the word go, the competition is intense with almost 90+ players in the grid its not an easy one though. Teams which earned higher marks in acceleration test made to occupy the pole positions. However the benefit would soon fade away, if you are not getting the momentum at the right time. We could see many buggies failing to start and abruptly stop. The student-drivers have to wave their hand to get help from the team to help starting the engine
Briggs and straton 10hp petrol engine has to be started manually (like an auto-rickshaw). The student assembled transmission is key to get the best output from the engine (as all the teams use the same engine). Another key thing is the suspension, the hard tracks poses danger in each and every step its tough for even an factory build vehicle would fail. I could see many students standing helplessly with broken suspension and failure with engine. However, the lessons they learn from here will now be forgotten. Also not their sweet memories.
