Mahindra BAJA SAEIndia is getting bigger and better every year. This time it was all the more special for the organisers as the event turned 10 years old. Started in 2007, the BAJA SAEIndia was held from 16th to 21st February 2017 at the NATRIP facility in Pithampur, Indore. The 10th edition also marks new additions in the event- eBAJA with m-BAJA. In BAJA, every year, engineering students across the country showcase their talent and passion for automobiles, in which they design and fabricate a 4- wheeled single seater all-terrain vehicle.
The four day event is divided into stages, which includes technical inspection, static evaluation such as design,cost and sales presentation. The Dynamic event is the next one which has an acceleration test, sled pull, suspension, traction and maneuverability. The endurance test is last one in which each buggy rider goes through a rough terrain and bad weather conditions.
In the 10th edition of Mahindra BAJA, a total of 415 entries applied for the event from 185 colleges that participated at a virtual stage, out of which 150 teams were selected for m- BAJA, while 35 teams for eBAJA. In the final round or the endurance test, 118 teams participated which was held on 18th and 19th February. This test for eBAJA lasted two hours and for m-BAJA the duration was four hours. For the first time, the event marks participation of international teams from BITS Dubai campus, that competed with other BAJA buggies.
For the selection process in BAJA finale, the students have to cross various rounds which includes clearing the virtual round in which they showcase the design of their BAJA buggies. For this event, the venue for the virtual round was Christ University, Bangalore. The virtual test comprises of analysis of buggies, technical written test, CAD designs and CAE analysis. After the virtual round, the selected participants make their BAJA buggies and will showcase their talent in the final round.
The new edition in Mahindra BAJA SAEIndia, is e-BAJA which is known for electric buggies. Powering the four-wheeler is a 9KW electric motor is supplied energy by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
After seeing the popularity of BAJA and the participation of the students across the country, now two events will be held, one in the Pithampur and another one at IIT, Ropar, Punjab. The registration for next year BAJA will start in March 2017, the virtual stage will be held in June, 2017, while BAJA in Pithampur will be held in January 2018 the event to be held in IIT Ropar it will happen in March 2018. This will improve the participation of students from across the country.
The winners of 2017 Mahindra BAJA SAEIndia are
m-BAJA
College of Engineering, from Pune was announced the winner of the 10th edition of Mahindra BAJA. This is third consecutive win in BAJA SAEIndia. In 10 years, COE College Pune has won 5 times BAJA SAEIndia
First Runner up- Alard College of Engineering, Pune
Second runner up- Dr. BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar
eBAJA
Singhad College of engineering, Pune won the Best eBAJA team award.
