When the engines begin to roar at 2009 Baja Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Alabama at Auburn University April 16-19, the UTC team\u2019s entry will be an entirely new vehicle built and designed \u201cfrom the ground up\u201d according to Ben Klingler, Project Manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe main unique design feature of this year\u2019s car is the use of a hydrostatic transmission,\u201d Klingler said.\u00a0 \u201cIn the past a belt driven continuously variable transmission has been used.\u201d<\/p>\n
On Friday, April 17, the UTC team vehicle will undergo tech inspection.\u00a0 There will be an engine check by Briggs & Stratton, the company that donates the same engine to all vehicles entered in the race; a tech inspection by Honda and brake test by Eagle Motorsports.<\/p>\n
Saturday, April 18 heats up with four short dynamic events: Acceleration;
\nTraction (the former \u201cLog Pull\u201d); Maneuverability and Suspension (the former \u201cSuspension and Traction\u201d).<\/p>\n
An endurance event Sunday, April 19 promises difficult obstacles in the Sandbox, the Guardrail Jump (it\u2019s \u201ctwice as high (whump!)\u201d according to the SAE website) and the bumpy ride on Skid Road.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom looking at the posted information, it looks like this year is going to provide challenges, but nothing that we cannot handle,\u201d Klingler said.<\/p>\n
Everyone on the team gets a chance to drive after the vehicle is completed. Drivers for the competition will be selected so more experienced students will be behind the wheel. The final driver selections have not been made.<\/p>\n
This year DENSO North America Corporation provided the UTC team with a $7000 grant.\u00a0 Dr. Rob Goulet, who has served as faculty advisor for the UTC Mini Baja participants, received the grant approval from DENSO.\u00a0 DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc. is a global company located in Maryville.\u00a0 It is one of the world\u2019s largest manufacturers of advanced technology, components and systems for all major automakers.<\/p>\n
Additional sponsors include Hydrogear and Alstom.<\/p>\n
The 2009 UTC team includes:
\nBen Klingler \u2013 Project Manager
\nLarry Ardry \u2013 Team Captain
\nRoger LeMond \u2013 Fabrication Manager
\nMegan Miller \u2013 Reporting Manager
\nMatt Brooks \u2013 Cost Reporting Manager
\nChris Thornton
\nChris Dornon
\nGreg Burnett
\nSean Hammons
\nJonathan Delaune
\nMike Adams<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When the engines begin to roar at 2009 Baja Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Alabama at Auburn University April 16-19, the UTC team\u2019s entry will be an entirely new vehicle built and designed \u201cfrom the ground up\u201d according to Ben Klingler, Project Manager.<\/p>\n