Since 1989, UMBC Racing has been the highest performing SAE Baja team in the state of Maryland, and one of the best in the world. UMBC Racing has competed in almost every North American race since the team’s revival in 2009, and won second overall just one year later in 2010. The team has continued to hold itself to high standards, achieving seven top 10 overall finishes in the last ten seasons. With over 250 teams in competition from institutions like Michigan, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, and ETS, this is no small feat. We credit much of our success to the dedication and innovative spirit of our team members. However, our success is also attributable to our industry and private sponsors who make it possible for us to compete at the front of the field with the very best.
Donations to the UMBC Foundation would be used primarily for the construction of a new vehicle for the 2023 season, and with a new vehicle comes the significant expense of a new frame and new drivetrain components like gearboxes and CVT’s. The remaining funds will be used for travel to the sanctioned competitions at the end of the season, any important mid-season iterations to custom parts, and for shop supplies.
Baja SAE offers an unparalleled experience for university students. UMBC Racing team members gain years of experience not just designing components, but designing real components for finite and infinite life, manufacturability, low cost, and low weight. Unlike most engineering students, our team members go past the theoretical design stage, with each one gaining extensive experience making physical parts, collecting real data, evaluating component failures, and conducting field repairs. They also perform technical writing, prepare engineering drawings, and give design presentations. UMBC Racing team members are majors in engineering, computer science, physics, and other studies.
By gaining this applied experience during college, UMBC Racing team members enter the workforce more qualified than most of their peers. Combined with the industry connections established during the program, almost all team members graduate directly into a job in their field. This development of professional workers through UMBC Baja is only possible with contributions from many people and organizations. This year, with students having fully returned in person, the UMBC Baja program is completing a full development cycle with plans to go to all three races with a newly designed and built car.
Our 2022 season off-road vehicle competed in Arizona and finished seventh in maneuverability. The team also excelled in cost and design events, proving the team to be a well-rounded and capable organization. The 2023 car showcases a new chain-driven four-wheel drive system and a redesigned trailing-arm suspension system, allowing this year’s car to be lighter, faster, and have a more reliable four-wheel drive than its previous iteration.
With your support, the UMBC Baja program can continue to provide students a unique opportunity to apply professional and field-specific skills, while representing UMBC at the front of the field.
Baja SAE Competitions for 2023
1st Competition: Baja SAE Oshkosh - Oshkosh, Wisconsin
2nd Competition: Baja SAE Oregon - Washougal, Washington
3rd Competition: Baja SAE Ohio - Nashport, Ohio
All contributions are administered by the UMBC Foundation, Inc., for the benefit of UMBC.