UA Engineering Students Compete in SAE Baja Race

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A team of engineering students from The University of Alabama, Bama Racing, will compete in the SAE Baja competition in Auburn April 19-22.

The team designed and built an off-road vehicle to test in a series of challenges on rough terrain. These challenges gauge the vehicle’s acceleration, maneuverability, suspension, traction, hill climb and endurance during a race. The first four events are timed trials on short tracks, while the final endurance race tests the laps the vehicle can complete in four hours.

Scoring is based on the team’s design as well as the vehicle’s performance. The teams are also judged on their design report, technical paper, cost report and a final design presentation. Bama Racing will compete against nearly 100 teams from around the country.

The team includes:

• Parker Anderson, a freshman in engineering from Huntsville.

• Ryan Burt, a junior in mechanical engineering from Maplesville.

• Sterlin Cochran, a graduate student in mechanical engineering from Millry.

• Jordan Easter, a graduate student in mechanical engineering from Cropwell.

• John Gray – a junior in mechanical engineering from Tuscaloosa.

• Ryne Hill, a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Lawrenceville, Ga.

• Mary Hoffman – a junior in mechanical engineering from Trussville.

• Kevin Igoe, a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

• Jeffery Keith, a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Hoover.

• Alexander Kolter, a freshman in mechanical engineering from Culleoka, Tenn.

• Eric Mann, a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Huntsville

• Taylor Mason, a freshman in mechanical engineering from Medway, Maine.

• Brandon Phillips, a freshman in mechanical engineering from Nashville, Tenn.

• Brandon Russell, a freshman in mechanical engineering from Bessemer.

• Laurel Seus, a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Maryville, Tenn.

• Heidi Skinner, a freshman in mechanical engineering from Hayden.

• Jerry Stastka, a sophomore in mechanical engineering from Daphne.

Dr. Beth Todd, associate professor of mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering, is the team’s adviser.

The team received money and in-kind support from local sponsors, along with a donation from the University for the fabrication of its vehicle.

Baja SAE consists of three regional competitions that simulate real-world engineering design projects and their related challenges. The competition’s purpose is to provide students an opportunity to plan and manufacture tasks similar to what they will face in their careers.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has more than 3,300 students and more than 100 faculty. In the last eight years, students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater, Hollings, Portz and Truman scholars.