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No Road Too Rough

WVU Baja SAE® challenges students to design, build, test, and compete an all terrain racing vehicle in a real-world design environment.

Join WVU Baja SAE® Team!
WVU car number 99 crests the hill during the hill climb event at the 2018 Baja SAE Competition.
WVU crests the hill Climb during  at the 2018 Baja SAE Competition.
2017 Baja Competition Team Photo


About Baja SAE®
The Baja SAE® competition sponsored by SAE International®  challanges engeinnering students to design and build an offroad vehicle that will survive the severe punishment of rough terrain and in some competitions, water. As in real work situations, these future engineers work together as a team to discover and resolve technical challenges in design, test, and manufacturing, as well as business issues. The most rugged of all the competitions, Baja SAE also gives students the first-hand challenge of pursuing their passion while managing real-life demands and priorities. Each team's goal is to design and build a prototype of an allweather, rugged, single-seat, off-road recreational vehicle intended for sale to the nonprofessional weekend off-road enthusiast. Competition events include:
Static Events
  • Design Evaluation
  • Cost Report
  • Prototype Cost
  • Sales Presentation
Dynamic Events
  • Acceleration
  • Hill Climb or Traction
  • Land Maneuverability
  • Suspension of Rock Crawl
  • Endurance
Available Courses
Undergraduate students in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering can receive credit for their Capstone Engineering Design Course and up to 6 hours of technical elective credit toward their degree beginning in their sophomore year. Students majoring in other Engineering disciplines may also receive technical elective course credit for participating in Baja SAE® (subject to departmental approval). 

More Information

Volunteers Welcome
Baja SAE® is a multi-disciplinary project involving engineering, project management, business, finance, marketing, publicity and outreach. We welcome volunteers.

Why join the Baja Team?
Baja SAE® students are recruited by companies in a broad range of industries. Hiring managers look for hands-on experience. They want people who can think on their feet, think creatively, know how to manage, know how to manage their time. Working on the WVU Baja SAE® Team will help you build these skills.
The 2018 WVU Baja Car 99

The 2018 WVU Baja Car 99

The WVU team stages for the start of the Endurance Event at the 2017 Baja SAE Competition in Kansas.

The WVU team stages for the start of the Endurance Event at the 2017 Baja SAE Competition in Kansas.

The 2017 WVU Baja Car 98

The 2017 WVU Baja Car 98

WVU compete in a muddy Endruance Even during the 2017 Baja Competition in Kansas.

WVU compete in a muddy Endruance Even during the 2017 Baja Competition in Kansas.

WVU makes repairs to the rear suspension in the Pitts at the 2017 Baja SAE Competition.

WVU makes repairs to the rear suspension in the Pitts at the 2017 Baja SAE Competition.

Featured Links

Photo of Dr. Ken Means WVU Baja Team Faculty Advisor

Means named 2018 Heebink Award Recipient.

Kenneth Means, professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has received the 2018 Heebink Award for Distinguished Service to West Virginia. The Heebink award is given to a faculty or staff member who has “used the unique resources of the university” and their own professional expertise to provide an educational or public service activity to the citizens of the state.

Read More about Dr. Means
2018 WVU Baja Team Competition Photo

Recruiting Students for the 2019 Team. Get Involved!

We are gearing up for the 2019 Baja SAE® Competition Season. If you are interested in getting involved in the Design and Bulid of the 2019 Baja SAE® car please contact Dr. Ken Means in room 841A Engineering Sciences Building to find out more about course options and volunteer participation. You can contact Dr. Means by email at the link below.

Join the Team!
The WVU team works on Car Number 99 in the pits during the 2018 Baja SAE Competition

Support the WVU Baja Team with a Tax Deductable Donation.

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is proud to offer students the opportunity to participate in hands-on, experiential learning opportunities through engineering competitions. like The WVU Baja SAE® Team relies heavily on the generous support of alumni and donors to infrastructure improvement, fabrication and travel expenses. Please Donate.

Make a Donation

Design Build Compete

Student Designed - Student Built - Student Driven

Offroad Stability

WVU navigates the Stability Course and the 2016 Baja SAE® Cookville TN Competition

Be First... Eat No Dust

Chart your course to a successful engineering career.

Get Involved Today!

WVU Baja Car Number 99 Turning Laps in the Endurance Race.