Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering

 SIUE Cougar Baja is a student chapter in the mechanical engineering department, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. The team is made up of about 30 ME/MRE students. The team designs and manufactures Baja cars and participates in various Baja and SAE Formula car competitions throughout the year. The Cougar Baja team participated in our first competition of the year at the University of Louisville. This competition, Midnight Mayhem, is the world’s largest exhibition race for Baja SAE vehicles. This year there were 73 teams (including 11 international teams), with a total of 93 cars in attendance. The competition spanned two days where the vehicles were tested in acceleration, maneuverability, suspension, and a four-hour-long endurance race on the last day. This year, our team was able to compete with two cars, which allowed plenty of drive time for new members. The main highlight of the trip was the endurance race where the Car #127 was placed 22nd and the Car #94 was placed 38th. The Car #127 was on the top twenty leaderboard for the majority of the endurance race, holding the 12th place for an extended period of time before a mechanical failure forced us out of the race. In the end, the Car #127 and the Car #94 received overall placement of 23rd and 73rd, respectively. We are very proud of these accomplishments and cannot wait to see what this competition year has in store for us. With support from School of Engineering and industry sponsors, the SIUE Cougar Baja team competes in competitions, teachs students valuable skills, and represents the university to the best of its ability. With a new car currently under construction, the team expects to continue improving both in the shop and out on the track.