Engineering ampus car to compete By Lisa Noro Seven enterprising engineering students are really getting into their “engine-ering.” They are building a car and will race it in a major compeition. Every year senior mechanical engineering students are re quired to take a project design course which involves the crea tion of a major project. Most sudents propose an idea which must be approved by the instruc tor. In this case, engineering pro fessor, Don Miller had the idea then interested the students. “These seven students aren’t just working for a grade with this project,” Miller says, “but to compete in the 1983 Mini Baja East.” Miller explained that the “baja” was originally a race in the deserts of the West coast on supposed all-terrain” vehicles. “The vehicles used weren’t real ly a.t.v.’s since they just rode on the desert sands,” stated Miler. “Our’s is truly an all-terrain vehicle, since it has to ride on mud, grass and even water.” The 1983 Mini Baja East con sists of a two-day competition on May 5 and 6th at the University of Maryland. The vehicles will compete in 14 categories against similar entries from schools as far south as the University of Miami, to as far west as the University of Tennessee. Last year the Baja was held at the Rochester Institute of Technology. There were 32 teams and over 300 participants. “This year we expect about 40 schools to attend the event. The main campus isn’t involved, so we’re the only campus represen ting Penn State,” added Miller. All participants must design and construct a one-person, all terrain vehicle with more than two wheels on the ground. “Ours is a truly all terrain vehicle.” Don Miller Engineering Professor One advantage is that an eight horse-power, four-cycle, air cooled engine is provided for each entrant by the Briggs and Stratton Company. But, from there the students are on their own. Safety is a major factor they have to consider. Some items that are required include a roll cage, a kill switch, a chemical extinguisher, driver restraints, helmets, a firewall between driver and engine and a life preserver. The competition will be judged in numerous categories, such as: consumer appeal, safety, design & creativity and post race in- spection. In the field the vehicle shall be judged on weight, (the lighter the better) acceleration top speed-and braking, land and water maneuverability, hill clim bing, balance-suspension stability, (over a flat, oval track of partially covered railroad ties) an endurance race, (a ten lap (10-15) miles) through hills, woods, open fields, mud and water) and finally, the cost. The manufactured cost of the vehicle, (based on production of 4,000 units per year) should be $1,350 or less. Included in this amount is the cost of the engine, but excluded are the costs of the required life preserver, restraint system, helmet and face shield. For every $4.00 above cost, one point will be deducted. “Mini Baja is a wonder ful opportunity for students to practice their skills.” Don Miller Engineering Professor Capitol Campus’ Baja team consists of Rod Carson, Jim Con cannon, Scott Gottshall, Mike McFadden, Ed Palmer, Dave Rishel and Jim Sein-Lwin. Each student focused his talents on a different part of the vehicle. Jim Sein-Lwin’s duty was to design the frame. “Eighty-percent of the design is done. Right now we’re welding the frame together and testing it. I feel good about this project,” he commented. Dave Rishel also feels the vehi cle will be competitive. “We’ve spent over 100 hours working on it and probably will spend much more before it’s finished.” According to Rishel the design of Capitol Campus’ baja vehicle is a bit different. “We r re using a motor-cycle transmission which may give us an advantage over a regular transmission. Each of the students will drive the vehicle through some part of the competition. Answering a question as to whether driving ability may affect the outcome, member Rod Carson stated, “I doubt it. The vehicle cannot n " Baja" reach that high of a speed where driving ability (or lack of it) * would be a factor.” Don Miller summed it by say ing, “The concept of Mini Baja is a wonderful opportunity for the students to practice their engineering skills, to participate in a head to head competition with other schools, ana to enjoy the fellowship of their own team members ana that of other teams. Some people might view the Baja as worthless, but we feel it’s a real challenge.” YOUR As AND Bs COULD GET YOU INTO aCS. Your Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree could be your ticket into Army Officer Candidate School (OCS). Naturally, you have to pass mental and physical tests. Then complete basic training, and you’re on your way to O.C.S. at Fort Benning, Georgia. Fourteen weeks later, you could be wearing second lieutenant’s bars. It’s not easy. But you’ll come out tough. Sure in your ability to lead. You’ll be in great shape. And you’ll gain management skills civilian corporations look for. When you think about your future, O.C.S. seems like a great place to start. Look into it with your Army Recruiter. 232-4152 ARMY BE ALL YOU CAN BE. Page 18 >to by Joe Hart
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