The Virginia Tech Baja SAE Team took home prizes at an event May 16-19, 2024, held at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The team took third place overall, first on the hill climb, and first in endurance. While there is one more stop in this season's tour, this event was the last for graduating seniors.

Baja SAE is an automotive design competition organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Teams from are challenged to design a single seat off-road vehicle to conquer any terrain pushing the vehicle to its limits. The teams present their vehicle from an engineering design, cost and marketability perspective, before testing on track.

Competition on a short course tests on suspension, maneuverability, acceleration and more. This is followed by a four-hour endurance race with around 100 vehicles on a track. By the end, only about 20 vehicles are still running. The Virginia Tech car is also driven by students during the competition. 

Wade Donalson works on the Baja SAE car at an event. Photo by Matthew Orrell.
Wade Donalson works on the Baja SAE car at an event. Photo by Matthew Orrell.
Baja SAE Team at the Pennsylvania College of Technology event, May 2024. Photo by Matthew Orrell.
Baja SAE Team at the Pennsylvania College of Technology event, May 2024. Photo by Matthew Orrell.
Driver Cole Owenby hits the mud at a Baja SAE event at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, May 2024. Photo by Matthew Orrell.
Driver Cole Owenby hits the mud at a Baja SAE event at the Pennsylvania College of Technology, May 2024. Photo by Matthew Orrell.