Baja SAE Maryland 2015 - We Need Volunteers! - 3 Weeks to Go!

"UserNotFound" (jalopnik2)
04/16/2015 at 09:50 • Filed to: None

Hey opponauts, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is hosting one of this year's three international Baja SAE competitions at Budd's Creek Motocross Track in Mechanicsville, MD on May 7 - 10!

There are going to be 100 teams from around the world competing for the prize and we're going to need as many volunteers as possible to make it successful. You can follow the link below to sign up, and feel free to ask me any questions you might have about what volunteering will be like.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

I, personally, am totally stoked because it was an honor to be asked to host a competition and there hasn't been one in the region for quite a long time. I was on UMBC Baja SAE team for seven years so it's awesome to be on the other side now.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Baja SAE, it's a college competition hosted by SAE International where student teams design, build, present, and race solo and wheel-to-wheel in off-road racecars. Each competition follows a 4-day format.

May 5-6 - Pre-competition Work Days

We're going to need volunteers to help lay out the courses and get things organized before teams start showing up. It's also a good time to get familiar with the grounds and layout.

May 7 - Registration

On the first day, teams show up, get in their paddocks, and get registered. There is also a sales presentation on that day where teams present how their vehicle would be produced, marketed, and sold as a low-volume (4,000 unit) enthusiast racecar.

May 8 - Static Events

On the second day, static day, teams have to defend their vehicle design before a panel of engineering professionals, as well as get their car through scrutineering to ensure it is safe to race. Tech Inspection consists of an engine governor check, frame and safety equipment inspection, and a brake check. Only after passing Tech can teams actually drive their cars.

May 9 - Short Dynamic Events

The third day is the short dynamic event day. Each team gets two chances at acceleration, hill climb, maneuverability, and suspension and traction. These are solo events designed to test all aspects of performance.

May 10 - Endurance Race (also May 11 - Post-competition Work Day)

The competition culminates on the fourth day in a 4-hour endurance race. Unlike FSAE, all 100 cars are on track at the same time, making for some very interesting racing as teams compete against each other and against the terrain of the endurance course.

Once the endurance race is over, points are tallied for static events (cost, sales, and design), short dynamic events, and the endurance race. The competition is extremely competitive and finishing in the Top 10 is what every team shoots for.

It's going to be awesome.

And here's the volunteer link one more time:

http://bajasaemaryland.umbc.edu/volunteers/

DISCUSSION (41)

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > UserNotFound
03/14/2015 at 21:55

Shit, I'd be sooo down to help out, but that's the weekend before finals for me at St. Mary's. Damn :(

macanamera > UserNotFound
03/15/2015 at 12:52

You guys need a driver?

UserNotFound > macanamera
03/15/2015 at 13:17

Well, it's mainly the students doing the driving, and the volunteers telling them where to drive, but the volunteers do, on occasion, have quads and UTV's from time to time. Also only about 20% - 40% of teams make it through the endurance event without need a tow at some point, so we need a lot of recovery vehicles on Sunday.

UserNotFound > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
03/15/2015 at 13:18

Hey, you can volunteer for a couple of the earlier days! What better way to avoid studying!

My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
03/15/2015 at 13:22

You're at St. Mary's? I'm at CSM, have you every been to any of the local car meets around here? There's one at the Best Buy in California on Friday's if you ever wanna stop by. I've been looking for SOMD Jalops.

DrJohannVegas > UserNotFound
03/15/2015 at 14:02

Would love to help you guys out, but: 1) It's a bit of a haul for me. 2) I am working Formula at MIS the next week. Hope you get the bodies, though.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > UserNotFound
03/15/2015 at 17:54

I'm not that bold, striving for all A's this semester.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa
03/15/2015 at 17:55

I had no idea there were any meets around. I would definitely check it out. I know there's another Oppo on here. Has a 240z and works on the base. He found my car last semester at Bollywood.

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > UserNotFound
03/18/2015 at 12:04

If I didn't live on the opposite end of the state, I'd do it in a heartbeat, but unfortunately, I can't just up and go to that end of Maryland. :/

Man! That sucks.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > UserNotFound
03/18/2015 at 12:32

I almost joined Michigan State's team when I was attending (04-08) but I wasn't going to be able to drive despite pulling the best time so I passed (there plan was to teach the lightest person possible to drive better as opposed to just getting the best driver). I should have stuck around to build. That was the most fun ride I ever had in my life.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > UserNotFound
03/18/2015 at 12:56

Hey, UMD grad here. I did Formula in 2012-13 and it was a blast. The Baja car always looked like fun, but I never got involved with that aspect. I was at the shop over the weekend and heard Baja would be down at Budds Creek, which is exciting, I was thinking about going down to watch.

Let me take a look at my schedule but I would like to volunteer. Which days are typically the hardest to get volunteers for, or which ones do you typically need the most help. I can't do the whole thing, but I'd like to do at least a day or 2, so I'll try to set it up so I can help where it's needed most.

UserNotFound > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/18/2015 at 14:53

Hey cool, I've seen the UMD FSAE car a few times over the years - very neat cars.

The areas where we need the most volunteers are the short dynamic events on Saturday and the endurance race on Sunday. We'll need flaggers, course workers, and support personnel. If you own an ATV then you can be on the recovery crew pulling wrecked cars off the courses which is always a good time.

Hope to see you there!

UserNotFound > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/18/2015 at 14:55

Yeah the cars are so fun to mess around in. I was neither light nor a good driver but I had a blast building the cars.

Luckily, you don't need Baja experience to volunteer for the race!

UserNotFound > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/18/2015 at 14:58

Sorry to hear that. Budd's Creek is a great race location but it is definitely a bit of a hike from the major urban centers of Maryland.

If you do find yourself able to make it down we will always accept more help, or you could just come see the racing.

One really exciting thing is we're working on live-streaming also. When we have things more finalized I'll be posting the info to Oppo.

UserNotFound > DrJohannVegas
03/18/2015 at 14:58

Hey have fun at MIS! I still have yet to make it to an FSAE event but I'd like to one of these days.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > UserNotFound
03/18/2015 at 15:06

You probably have to be somewhere near Maryland though lol.

I'm still in Michigan. I just like to bring more attention to mini Baja, such cool little buggies.

I don't know that I would have always been the most consistent best driver, but I will say on all the ramps and mini hills on the course that day, I was the only one capable/ballsy enough to catch air. (all 4 tires, like the guy in the last shot, but higher lol).

Snuze: Needs another Swede > UserNotFound
03/19/2015 at 07:36

Work is busy right now, but I could definitely do the weekend, so if that's where you all need the most help, that works out perfect. I don't have an ATV, but I have a few friends, who are Terps Racing Alumni, that do. I'll see if I can talk them into coming down to help out.

I didn't really get involved with Baja at UMD, just Formula, but it always looked like tons of fun, and I'm excited to be able to come help out.

My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
03/19/2015 at 15:14

Damn, that's awesome. If you guys want to brave the weather, a few guys including myself will probably be out this Friday at the Best Buy in California. There are a few knucklehead Honda guys out there, but most of the people I hang out with are great guys (and gals). We typically ignore the fart boxes. A buddy of mine has an S60R (6 Speed manual), and another friend has a Boxster, so we keep it Oppo for sure.

I'd love to have another old beamer at the meet considering the newest one is an automatic E46. We do have an E46 M3 that stops by on occasion, but he's up in Waldorf so he's a rare site.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa
03/19/2015 at 17:50

I can't make this weekend or next, but I will definitely try for the one after that. What time does all this go down.

My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
03/19/2015 at 18:10

Sounds good man, meets usually start around 9pm.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa
03/19/2015 at 18:34

I will try my best, but I'm usually under the influence of college on Friday nights. Still, worth meeting new people, though. See ya out there.

My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
03/19/2015 at 19:35

Hahaha that's for after the meet ;).

But hell yeah man, see you around. Look for the short guy next to the silver e30.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa
03/19/2015 at 19:36

Will do :)

fairlady78 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/24/2015 at 10:38

For someone with SAE design series experience, helping out with the sales or design judging on Thursday and Friday (respectively) may be a great option, depending on your experience. If not working as a course worker on the Sunday endurance race is awesome, and is the day that will require the most volunteers.

SoggyFrostedFlakes > UserNotFound
03/25/2015 at 20:06

This is stupid. those go carts are stupid. The static event looks boring, with people just standing around doing nothing and looking nervous or stupid. Those cones with tennis balls are stupid, the washington mud was stupid, the rochester mud was stupid, and those big wheels are stupid. I think I have stupid permanent sight loss from that stupid auburn dust.

Oh, and people named Eric are stupid

Kind regards, someone who may be present in 3 of those pictures.

Also, for anyone wanting to go, PLEASE SIGN UP. It's so stupidly fun even if you can't drive a car. Maryland is going to be awesome and hopefully you'll see lots of airborne vehicles (which may or may not be able to get airborne again after the inevitable landing). Just bring a pair of waterproof shoes, extra pairs of socks, and lots of clothes you don't mind getting a little dirty.

UserNotFound > SoggyFrostedFlakes
03/25/2015 at 21:23

STUPID AWESOME BRAH!!!!

You had better show up, don't think you have gotten out of helping run accel. Then again I might just have you help me run maneuverability.

SoggyFrostedFlakes > UserNotFound
03/25/2015 at 21:27

oh i'm coming for sure. i was supposed to call in last night, but got sick and slept through the meeting. I'll be there for static through endurance, but sadly can't take the time off to help with set up and site breakdown

tromoly > UserNotFound
04/14/2015 at 18:21

It's at Budd's Creek??? Now I wish I didn't live 13 hours away!

My Alma Mater is returning to Baja SAE after 8 years away at that competition, though from what I hear their car is prety terrible.....

I can't volunteer in any way this year, best wishes for a smooth and succesful event.

Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ > UserNotFound
04/14/2015 at 19:20

I'm totally down to volunteer but I'm up west of Baltimore. Can I tent out?

UserNotFound > Life and Times of Magoo: The People's Champ
04/14/2015 at 19:37

Unfortunately there isn't any camping allowed on-site. I think there's a few campgrounds around the area if that's your style.

There are also a bunch of hotels in the area which is where most of us volunteers will be staying:

http://bajasaemaryland.umbc.edu/hotels/

Scary__goongala! > UserNotFound
04/16/2015 at 09:56

If I didn't have finals the 4th through the 7th I would totally be helping out with this.:(

My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa > UserNotFound
04/16/2015 at 10:25

Damn, if I wasn't trying to juggle work and class I would be down in a heartbeat!

My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa > UserNotFound
04/16/2015 at 10:26

I'm 20 minutes away from Budds Creek. It's awesome living to close!

UserNotFound > Scary__goongala!
04/16/2015 at 10:50

Hey if you find you do have time and want to forget the horror that is final exams, especially on the 9th and the 10th, then you can always sign up on site too. Best of luck with your finals either way, bud.

UserNotFound > tromoly
04/16/2015 at 10:52

Hey cool, what university? It's always daunting being a new team but several teams have become very successful after a couple years of keeping at it.

UserNotFound > My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa
04/16/2015 at 10:53

Hey if you do find you have time, especially on the 9th and 10th, you can sign up to volunteer on site!

My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa > UserNotFound
04/16/2015 at 11:09

Come to think of it, I should be done with most of my classes, so that might just work!

My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/17/2015 at 20:56

Hey man were you at the meet at Target a few mins ago? I just missed you if that was you. I don’t have the e30 right now because it has no suspension but I was hoping to see your 2002 hah .

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa
04/18/2015 at 00:26

yah, I made an appearance. Left around 8:30. Sorry I didn’t wait longer

My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/18/2015 at 19:54

All good man. I’ll hopefully have the e30 out next week if you swing by.

My Alfa 164 is Too a Real Alfa > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/24/2015 at 20:26

You coming out tonight? Supposed to be a good meet.