125 teams qualify for final round of Baja SAE India 2014

Pune, October 8, 2013: Mahindra & Mahindra, in association with SAE India, has announced the seventh edition of Baja SAE India 2014. The series aims to provide an opportunity for young, enthusiastic and talented engineering students to showcase their passion for automobiles while encouraging them to conceive, design and fabricate 4-wheeled single-seater, all-terrain vehicles.

Of the 327 teams which had registered, 125 teams have qualified for the final round. The finale is to be held at the NATRiP facility at Pithampur, near Indore, from February 20-23, 2014.

This year, the series has received a good response with representation from all zones – Western, Northern, Eastern and Southern.

Entries from engineering colleges from across the country were screened in the virtual round, where they presented their designs for the Baja Buggy vehicle they wish to design for the final event. The qualifying teams were selected through a thorough analysis and comparison of the CAD designs, CAE analysis and the designs of suspension, steering and brakes. The entries presented mock-ups that were created with exact specifications by the participants. The teams in the final round will showcase their skills, understanding and passion for automobiles while having manufactured their own buggy race car.

According to Dr Pawan Goenka, executive director & president, Automotive & Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra, , “Over the years, Baja has grown in popularity and has become a bigger event nationally signifying its increasing popularity. The forum gives young engineering talent an opportunity to showcase their skills and acquire a real-life experience posed with challenges which is critical to their success in the long term.”

Shrikant Marathe, director, ARAI, said, "To meet the technology road map of India's vision, we need lots of good engineers. This human resource can double up by encouraging women to enter into engineering. Baja is one such initiative, where we orient them towards STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics)".

Sanjay Nibandhe, convener for Baja 2014 and DGM Proto Development, R&D, Nashik at Mahindra & Mahindra, said: “Baja SAE India is a platform that offers students not only a chance to showcase their talent and skills in the presence of auto experts but also get hands-on experience of the industry they aspire to get into. Along with the thrill and excitement, they are also tested for their leadership skills and theoretical knowledge put into practice.

Along with M&M, the other sponsors for Baja SAE India 2014 include ARAI, Fiat, Chevrolet, Bharat Petroleum, John Deere, Pegasus, Anand, BIT Bangalore, Cummins, Eaton, Emitec, Fusion Events, General Motors, iCAT, John Deere, NATRiP, and Raddison Blu.

Photograph: Participants of Baja SAE India 2014 with their vehicle.