BAJA 2007

Baja SAE India, an association of automotive majors organized the maiden BAJA 2007 contest from 21-23 December 2007 in NATRIP, Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh. The event is modeled on the globally popular student competition Mini BAJA which is held every year in five more countries across the globe. Kelinja Venkatagirish read about a participating team NITK, Surathkal in Hindu and sent me the hint.  

BAJA 2007 was sponsored by automotive majors like Mahindra and Mahindra, Ford, Lombardini, JK Tyres, Speed and various automotive bigshots. It involves engineering students to design and build an ALL TERRAIN VEHICLE that endures a severe punishment of rough terrain while competing against teams across the country.

Each team must start from scratch to design and fabricate an ATV based on specific dimensions, budget and other details provided by SAE India. The event provides selected teams a platform to showcase their engineering skills where their capabilities for team work, entrepreneurship, leadership and management will be gauged.

To maintain a level playing field, the teams have been provided with standard engines and gearboxes. The engines for the 2007 event were of 280cc type producing 9hp provided by Lombardini free of cost to the teams. The gearboxes are from Mahindra Alfa 3 wheeler, again provided free of cost.

The inaugural version saw participation from 27 Colleges from all over India with College of Engineering, Pune securing the top spot and was closely followed by NITK, Surathkal . All this was coordinated by Dr. K.C.Vora of ARAI, Pune.

The detailed commentary of the event is available at http://www.overdrive.in/story-articles-features/bajaj_sae_india_2007-3651-0.html
http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120259610300.htm
http://www.bajasaeindia.org/