CWRU Motorsports Triumphs in Baja SAE Ohio: Western Reserve University Motorsports team and 75 other university teams drove to Nashport, Ohio, from September 6-10. Whats Their job? Compete in Baja SAE Ohio, a formidable engineering test. Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) collegiate design series challenges include this renowned event. Different locales host this wild, rubber-burning music every year on the dot. This year, the stage was 120 miles southwest of CWRU’s hallowed campus.
But let it be known that automotive renown is built on careful planning and attention to every detail. Four-year star Sam Hepp is the Team Captain of this auto powerhouse. Hepp is hardworking. They labor hard daily, examining every bolt and creating a car masterpiece. A song? Exclude nothing. Because they persisted, they became a force to be reckoned with and have topped the podium every sunrise.
Team members began their vacation at Honda Recreation Center on September 6. Hepp and Ryan Eaton, the second-year Panels Lead, made a tremendous mock sales pitch in this automobile fantasy factory. What happened? Excellent second place in Business Presentation.
Briarcliff Motocross, the competition center, tested the team the next day. Amid everyone, teams put their robotic horses through rigorous technical tests to ensure safety and rules.
Friday was design presentation day, when a few team members showed a panel of four judges their automobiles’ detailed designs.
September 9 saw the first dynamic occurrences. The “Suspension and Traction,” “Maneuverability,” “Acceleration,” and “Pilot Pull” categories were a test of skill and strength. Each event was brief yet crucial, and each team had two chances to succeed. Suspension and traction stole the show, as Brendan Flanagan won twice in his debut competitive drive.
After the dust settled, CWRU placed first in Suspension and Traction, second in Maneuverability, third in Acceleration, and 28th in Pilot Pull. Last time, hauling a Honda Pilot with their Baja car was a Herculean task that proved how delicate mass reduction is. Scalpel-like precision was used. The point? Better results without sacrificing other skills. It was a brilliant play that earned them second place in Overall Dynamic.
The big battle was on September 10, “Endurance Day.” A tough four-hour off-road race was looming. It tested man and machine to complete as many 1.2-mile laps as the cruel clock allowed. CNC master Flanagan led the squad to a courageous second-place finish in Endurance.
Hepp admires her team after this high-stakes story ended. Minor setbacks and unanticipated issues tested their commitment, but they persevered. Intense, they persisted. They got more enthusiastic as their accomplishment progressed, but they kept calm. Instead, they made good choices that ended their adventure happily. This weekend will be remembered forever. It honored their never-ending pursuit of greatness.
The team has begun planning their next automotive masterpiece as they prepare for the next level. Hepp feels optimistic about the team. They have faced several hurdles, from a new engine to tight four-wheel drive and frame-building restrictions. These challenges only strengthened them and led to adventurous ventures into unexplored terrain. Their strengths were semi-active suspension systems, 3D-printed titanium parts, and innovative four-wheel drive routing. Hepp’s pride indicates that this remarkable team keeps pushing automotive innovation and greatness even when things go wrong.
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