No fewer than 37 teams from University, Technikon and other tertiary Mechanical Engineering Institute departments have been confirmed for the Sasol Mini Baja Competition 2003 on 17 and 18 October – to judge and reward engineering excellence amongst the students from South Africa, Botswana, India and Iran, at Gerotek Test Facilities and Zwartkops Off Road Academy (ZORA). –
– Friday (17th) focuses on the static evaluation and acceleration, top speed, braking, hill climbing and towing attributes of the teams’ spaceframe–like vehicles, powered by unmodified 7,5kw Briggs & Stratton engines, at Gerotek Test Facilities close to Hartebeespoort. –
– No fewer than 37 teams from University, Technikon and other tertiary Mechanical Engineering Institute departments have been confirmed for the Sasol Mini Baja Competition 2003 on 17 and 18 October – to judge and reward engineering excellence amongst the students from South Africa, Botswana, India and Iran, at Gerotek Test Facilities and Zwartkops Off Road Academy (ZORA). –
– ZORA is the Saturday venue – for further tests on their (vehicles’) ability to manouvre, avoid obstacles and, most importantly, endure four hours of non-stop racing (from 12h00) over the 3km per lap course, often “spiced” with a water splash or two. The especially prepared track has been laid out for the latter at the Zwartkops International World of Motoring (Raceway) on the R55, Pretoria West. –
– Sasol Mini Baja 2003 is organized by the University of Pretoria for the eighth consecutive year with backing and endorsement from Sasol, Briggs & Stratton, the Automotive Industries Development Corporation (AIDC), Society of Automotive Engineering (SAE), Gerotek, ZORA and Daimler Chrysler SA – to promote interest and career paths in mechanical engineering. As much as it’s about fun, it’s more so about the education and enlightenment of the public with regard to this field of engineering. –
– Therefore, entrance to both days is free. –
– Initiative and ingenuity are key to success for the overall points haul by the participants whose challenge it is to design and construct a Mini Baja that is according to the competition’s regulations (safety a premium) and fun to drive. –
– Last year’s winners, Rochester Institute from the USA, competing with some very modern equipment, including (Penske) shock absorbers, are “sitting out” Sasol Mini Baja 2003, so the new international teams from Iran and India will be watched with interest. –
– However, the local (team) standards have always been very high, Technikon Pretoria and Cape Technikon taking the runner-up spots in 2002. –
– This year’s categories are broken down in to (brand) newly-built cars (15), seventeen rebuilt cars (from the 2002 event) and a “company” class (5 entries), with R10 000 prize money from Sasol spread over the top three overall points scorers. –
– The Sasol Mini Baja Competition 2003 is set to (again) be enthralling and thrilling for both those who are technically-minded or those who get a thrill from a bit of “mild madness”. –
– For more information on the event visit www.sasol.com or call Tuks’ Organiser, Schalk Els on 083 408 2248. –
– Further info and results are also available on 08 22 33 4321.
