IMPORTANT: The following are the rules governing this year s competition and should be read completely before making any modifications to the truck. One thing to remember, this competition is given each year to a different group of organizers and therefore the rules will change from year to year. With this said, all rules from previous years should be disregarded. Any questions regarding the 2001 competition rules should be forwarded to Ed Widder (w) 847/568-2587, ed_widder@fmo.com. As in past competitions, the performance of the vehicle is the strongest measure of success. However, vehicle design and the student s ability to communicate and explain their design are very important. The second part of the competition will therefore involve the student team giving a semi-formal presentation explaining the vehicle. A mandatory registration form is required for all participants; please refer to last pages in this packet. Team members must be SAE members to participate. Students must be prepared to show SAE membership cards upon registration at the event. Bring your SAE membership cards. For membership information contact the SAE International at 800-832-6723 or check out the web site www.sae.org/membership/index.htm. It will be the responsibility of those competitors in the Stock Class to obtain a suitable truck to begin with. If you have any questions regarding what vehicles are acceptable for competition, refer to the listing in these rules or contact Ed Widder. THE COMPETITION This year s competition is broken into two categories, performance and a combination of design and presentation. The performance event will count as 65 points and the design/presentation event will count as 35 points. There will be no corporate exhibition competition this year. In place of the corporate competition we will allow a non-judged (no prizes/trophies) open class race, time permitting. This open class is to allow young and old alike to showcase personally owned Micro Baja designs on the course. There will be no presentation required for the open class. DESIGN AND PRESENTATION (35 points) The design and presentation events have been combined this year into a single event, with one score being given for both. The student or team will give a semi-formal oral presentation explaining the vehicle. An overhead projector and screen will be provided for presentation purposes, but any other equipment needs to be provided by the team. During the presentation, judges will be looking at the following criteria: Design: Powertrain/Drivetrain Design (0 to 5 pts) Chassis/Suspension Design (0 to 5 pts) Steering Design (0 to 5 pts) Electrical System/Electronics Design (0 to 5 pts) Vehicle Aesthetics (0 to 5 pts) Presentation: (0 to 10 pts) Explanation of design methodology and rationale Explanation of technical aspects of the design Question & Answer session Presentation Style/Professionalism/Visual Aids Keep in mind that the judges will be looking for custom parts and unique design innovations. Assembling of existing parts does not require engineering skills and will therefore be judged accordingly. This is not to say that all parts need to be hand made, but whenever possible, avoid store-bought assemblies. PERFORMANCE COMPETITION (65 points) The truck runs in a track that is ten inches wide and has side walls no less than four inches tall with obstacles built into the track. A diagram of the track is attached to these rules. Prior to the timed run, the truck must be inspected by the judges to ensure that the specifications for the entered class have been
followed and that no major vehicle modifications have occurred since the design judging. The following rules will be used at all times during the performance event: Each truck will get at least two runs against the clock. A third run will be taken, time permitting. Final running order will be assigned randomly by the competition organizers. Competitors will be given two minutes to start their run after the previous competition has left the track. Missing the time limits results in a DNF for that run. If a truck leaves the course, a course worker will return it to the course and a five-second penalty will be assessed. The truck must be capable of climbing the three-stepped incline under its own power. If a truck cannot climb the hill, it will be given a DNF for that run. Loss of traction requiring assistance will result in a five-second penalty. Three or more occurrences requiring assistance is classified as a DNF. Any truck not finishing the course will be given a DNF. Headlights (both classes) and roll bar lights (modified stock class only, if so equipped) must operate at all times during the run, or it will be classified as a DNF for that run. Only course workers may touch the truck while it s running. NO EXCEPTIONS. A course worker will only assist the vehicle once its forward motion has completely stopped. Electronics discussed as part of the vehicle s design during the design & presentation judging MUST be in use during the competition. Removing or bypassing of electronics will result in a five-second penalty. The maximum number of points available in the performance event is 65. Total points for each competitor will be based on their fastest run and the following formula. {(T max / T your ) 2 }-1 PERFORMANCE SCORE = x 65 {(T max / T min ) 2 }-1 T max = The slowest time for all entries in the class T min = The fastest time for all entries in the class T your = Your fastest time in the class DESIGN REGULATIONS All trucks must comply with the following regulations: All batteries, motors, and electrical components must be contained within the outer body shell. No form of remote control or telemetry will be allowed. Vehicle power must be supplied by battery operated electric motor(s). Headlights (both classes) and roll bar lights (modified stock class only, if so equipped) must operate during performance events. Each vehicle will be allowed to compete in only one class. Upon judge s inspection, a vehicle will be qualified to compete in one of the classes. If a majority of the judges feel a Modified Stock truck does not follow the proper regulations, they have the right to move that vehicle into the Unlimited class. CLASS SPECIFICATIONS: MODIFIED STOCK BATTERY: No restrictions as to the size, number or type of batteries. MOTOR: Only the one electric motor supplied from the manufacturer may be used.
SELF CONTAINED CONTROLS: No electronics, devices, or components to vary vehicle speed during vehicle operation are permitted DRIVE WHEELS: 2 or 4 wheel drive. BODY/CHASSIS: Previous trucks will be allowed to compete, provided they are NOT built from RC hobby kits, such as these manufacturers: Kyosho, Associated, Bolink, Tamiya, Traxxas, etc... Modified Stocks are to be built from RC trucks purchased from stores such as Radio Shack, Target, K-Mart, Toys-R-Us, etc. Acceptable manufacturers include: Radio Shack, Nikko, New Bright and Tyco. A body shell representing a Pickup Truck, Utility truck or Van is required. The outer body shell of the truck must remain unmodified as purchased. The chassis tub must retain its original form. Minor modifications and reinforcement add-ons will be allowed. The position of the body shell relative to the chassis must remain unmodified. The wheelbase must remain within +/-1/2 inch from stock wheelbase as purchased. The vehicle may be no wider than 10 inches at any point SUSPENSION: No restrictions or limitations, however, the suspension attachment points on the chassis must remain unmodified as purchased. TIRES AND WHEELS: No restrictions to size, construction, or tread of tires and wheels. The overall vehicle may be no wider than 10 inches at any point. UNLIMITED BATTERY: No restrictions as to the size, number or type of batteries. MOTOR: No restrictions as to the size, number, or type of battery-powered electric motor(s). DRIVE WHEELS: No restrictions as to the size, number or type of drive system. Note: The drive system cannot cause damage to the racetrack. The judges will disqualify trucks that cause destructive damage to the racetrack. BODY/CHASSIS: A Pickup, Utility truck or Van body is required. No restrictions to manufacturer of body/chassis. RC hobby kits are acceptable and encouraged. The vehicle may be no wider than 10 inches at any point SUSPENSION: No restrictions or limitations. TIRES AND WHEELS: No restrictions or limitations. Tank type treads are permissible. The overall vehic le may be no wider than 10 inches at any point
OPEN BATTERY: No restrictions as to the size, number or type of batteries. MOTOR: No restrictions as to the size, number, or type of battery-powered electric motor(s). DRIVE WHEELS: No restrictions as to the size, number or type of drive system. Note: The drive system cannot cause damage to the racetrack. Trucks that cause destructive damage to the racetrack will not be allowed to race. BODY/CHASSIS: No restrictions to manufacturer of body/chassis. The vehicle may be no wider than 10 inches at any point SUSPENSION: No restrictions or limitations. TIRES AND WHEELS: No restrictions or limitations. Tank type treads are permissible. The overall vehicle may be no wider than 10 inches at any point Special Instructions for the Open Class Racers: Open class racers should follow the same restrictions as the unlimited class of vehicle except the requirement that a pickup, utility truck, or van style body be used. All general design regulations and track operating rules still apply to the open class, but you are not required to be a college student to participate. Also understand that the open class is intended as a fun event with no prizes given. It is intended to give individual engineers or enthusiasts an event to showcase their designs. Any vehicles entered by collegiate competitors whose vehicles do not satisfy the requirements for either the modified stock or unlimited classes will be placed in the open class. THE TRACK The track is constructed of wood with an inside width of 10 inches. The walls are either wood or Plexiglas and are at least 4 inches high. During the competition event, course workers will make every attempt possible to assure that the track is the same for all competitors. TRACK OBSTACLES Water Trench - The water trench is approximately 4 feet long with 4-inch jumps at each end. The bottom of the trench is covered with a layer of rocks, with 1 inch of water on top of the rocks. Sand Pits - The sandpits are 2 to 3 feet long with a 2-inch ramp at each end. The sand runs the entire distance of the pit and is 2 inches deep. Rock Pits - The rock pits are approximately twelve inches in length with a 2-inch ramp on each end of the trench. The trench is filled with 1/2 to 1-inch diameter rocks. The sidewalls at this point are twelve inches high. Stepped Incline - The 3 incline hills are composed of 3 steps of 1 foot each. Twist Bumps - The twist bumps are made of pieces of 1 and 1/2-inch angle iron placed diagonally on the track.
**One thing to remember is that the track is several years old (with slight repairs), and there are areas in the track that have changed dimensions slightly. In other words, don t take the 10 inch wide track as being an exact measurement. The event organizers will make every attempt to make the race as fair as possible. GOOD LUCK!!
4 ft Approximate Height Track Cross-section Incline Cross-section 35 deg Three-stepped Uphill Incline 4 Minimum Wall Height Rocks 45 R 10 Track Width 2 Ramp Automatic One Way Gate Sand Pit Downhill Twist Bumps 2 Ramp 21 ft (6.5 m) 20 deg Uphill Incline Rocks 2 Ramp Textured Surface 115 R Water Trench Start/Finish Timing Tower Chatter Bumps 2 Bump 134.5 ft (10.5 m) SAE Micro Truck-Baja Racetrack Layout
SIDE VIEW OF ROCK JUMPS TOP OF WALL 12 IN 12 IN ROCKS
CHICAGO SECTION Mail to: Ed Widder, SAE Chicago Section, 8196 S. Cass Ave., Darien, IL 60561 Voice: (847) 568-2587 Fax: (847) 568-1925 Web site: www.chicagosae.org E-mail: ed_widder@fmo.com SAE MICRO-TRUCK BAJA DESIGN COMPETITION MANDATORY REGISTRATION (All team members MUST be SAE student members) SCHOOL TEAM NAME (optional) TEAM MEMBERS CONTACT NAME CONTACT PHONE EMAIL ADDRESS ADDRESS CLASS ENTERING (Modified Stock or Unlimited): Registrations must be postmarked by October 31,2001. Send registration form(s) to SAE Chicago Section at the above address or by fax. Please complete a mandatory registration form for each Micro-Truck being entered. Team members must be prepared to show SAE membership cards at event. For membership information call SAE International at (800) 832-6723 or check out the web site www.sae.org
CHICAGO SECTION Mail to: Ed Widder, SAE Chicago Section, 8196 S. Cass Ave., Darien, IL 60561 Voice: (847) 568-2587 Fax: (847) 568-1925 Web site: www.chicagosae.org E-mail: ed_widder@fmo.com SAE MICRO-TRUCK BAJA DESIGN COMPETITION OPEN CLASS MANDATORY REGISTRATION TEAM/VEHICLE NAME TEAM MEMBERS CONTACT NAME CONTACT PHONE EMAIL ADDRESS ADDRESS CLASS ENTERING OPEN CLASS By entering the open class you understand you will not be eligible for any prizes nor will your design be judged based on performance or design quality. Registrations must be postmarked by October 31, 2001. Send registration form(s) to SAE Chicago Section at the above address or by fax. Please complete a mandatory registration form for each Micro-Truck being entered.