Report of SAEINDIA BAJA 2015 Competition

TEAM ABHEDYA, MMCOE, CAR NO # 63

The most awaited ATV event of the year, BAJA SAEINDIA 2015 commenced on Thursday, 19th
February, 2015 at NATRIP track, Pithampur, Indore (M.P.) with team registration process at 9 a.m. We
registered the team at and then the vehicle was put in to pit no. 63, at 10 a.m. which was allotted to our
college team wherein we arranged all the tools, necessary equipments and spare parts systematically which
would be needed all the four days of event. 19th February, it was termed as Zeroth Day as no event was
going to take place on that day, except the vital site level technical Inspection. Clearing the Site level
technical inspection was mandatory as it was the ticket to participate in different dynamic events at BAJA
2015.
This year BAJA rejected College Level technical inspection to all the old teams, which added a sense
of responsibility to the team members to make their vehicle flawless from the technical inspection point of
view so as to clear the same in its very 1 st go. The BAJA vehicle named ASTRA was then self evaluated in
the pit by all the senior members of the team with the help of a Self Certification check sheet. Then touch up
was done and team brought the vehicle to the site level technical inspection bay.
The technical inspection involved in all 6 stages namely Weight and GO-NO GO gauge, Engine
check, chassis check, subsystem check, safety scrutiny and the tests of figure of 8 and braking. In spite of
not having any prior technical inspection at college level, our Vehicle cleared the technical inspection on the
same day with just one change suggested by the inspector. By the end of the day only 9 teams could clear
the Site level TI and we were 4th amongst them.
On the First Day which began on Friday 20th February, 2015 at 9 a.m. team rushed to the pit and
made the vehicle ready for Static Evaluation. We were given 5 th slot which was from 12:30p.m to 1:15p.m.
At bay no. 7 in main pandol. Total 8 members along with Captain and Driver went for Design evaluation
into which carried 150 marks. A team of 5 judges from Cummins, John Deere, General Motors, ARAI,
Mahindra and Mahindra was there for the evaluation process. The Captain had given a small presentation
highlighting design changes as compared to previous years car. This was followed by a question answer
session. The evaluation was done successfully in which team scored 111.2 points and ranked 7th in design.
This was followed by cost report evaluation (100marks) and sales presentation (50 marks).After completing
the presentations we completed the Acceleration test with a timing of 6.170 sec to cover a patch of 150 feet,
depending upon which the position in grid for endurance race is finalized.
The Second Day which started on 22nd February 2014, was the day of the Static Events which
involved different dynamic events namely Hill climb, Maneuverability& Suspension and Traction.
Team lined up for Hill climb event where a gradient of 26 degrees which was to be travelled in one go in
the least possible time to score maximum marks. Our vehicle finished the Hill Climb in 11 seconds.
Thereafter team went for Maneuverability event which tests the steering of vehicle. Team completed the
same in 84 seconds. The last dynamic event of the day was the Suspension and Traction which was the
toughest entire event. The vehicles have to complete a specially designed track having various hurdles such
as wooden logs, mud pits, rocks, sand, steps, deep potholes, sharp turns on steep slopes, negative banking
and a three feet drop, in the least time to acquire maximum score. The vehicle suspension was designed and
manufactured according to this and Team Abhedya had flawlessly performed the task in just 82 seconds. In
the evening, the vehicle was lined up in the grid, at 11th position as per the score of acceleration timing , The
day pumped confidence into every member of team, as team accomplished all the hurdles with grace and
were building up their mind for the prestigious Endurance race. With that second day was called off,
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The four hour Endurance Race was held on 22nd February, 2015 Sunday. Many automotive
industry personnel and students from various colleges across India gathered to see the race. This race was
there to check vehicles durability to sustain a really long track of 5.7 km with hurdles such as steep hill
climb, uneven lands, mud traps, water bowls, narrow patches etc. Only 64 vehicles could make up to
compete in endurance. The event was inaugurated by releasing tri-colored balloon in the sky by Mr. Pawan
Goenka, Chairman, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. All the vehicles were lead by a marshal for a warm up and
then with a proper countdown and flag off the race started. Rohan Gugale, the team driver, carrying 1 year
experience of driving at BAJA tracks, made most of it and gained 9 th position in 3rd lap itself. The
synchronization of his mind and body with the vehicle led to a very commendable driving. Only 26 cars
were able to make it till the end. We faced no major breakdowns at the vehicle and completed the endurance
race with 13th laps. It was truly the toughest track in the 9 year history of BAJA SAEINDIA to endure, and
we feel proud that we made it till the end!!
The final overall results with complete bifurcation were then displayed on 10th March 2014 on the
website of BAJA SAE India declaring that the Team Abhedya of MMCOE, Pune has ranked 11th in
India, 5th in Maharashtra and 5th in Pune. Total 4 students of our BAJA team were shortlisted for job
interviews from aptitude test which was arranged by automotive industries human resource drive on 18th
February 2015 at IIST, Indore. Out of which our BAJA Team Braking Head Mr. Chinmay Nazare was
selected for Endurance Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Event photographs are attached herewith for your kind
information.
We are very thankful to Management of Marathwada Mitramandal, Pune; Principal of MMCOE,
Pune; Mr. Kishor Mungale for providing MIG welding machine with full engineering support and all
sponsors for their whole heartedly support and guidance without which it was not possible to achieve this
glory.
Date: 17/03/2015

(Prof. K. R. Patil)
Senior Faculty Advisor,
MMCOE SAEINDIA Collegiate Club

(Prof. A. D. Desale)
Additional Faculty Advisor,
MMCOE SAEINDIA Collegiate Club

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Marathwada Mitra Mandals

College of Engineering
Karvenagar, Pune 52

BAJA team of MMCOE

TEAM ABHEDYA
secured

11th Rank in INDIA

5th Rank in Maharashtra
5th Rank in Pune
at

BAJA SAEINDIA 2015 Competition

Held at

Indore, Madhya Pradesh

Between 19th to 22nd February, 2015
Our Sponsors:

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