Teams from Pretoria Technikon finished first and second in the overall Sasol Mini Baja Competition 2003 standings, which concluded at the Zwartkops Off Road Academy, near Pretoria, on Saturday (18 October). –
– Their #1 team entry succeeded ahead of 34 participating teams from Mechanical Engineering Departments from Universities, Technikons and Institutes from around South Africa, as well as from Botswana University and entries from Iran and India (two). This team also won the 4 hour endurance race finale by 2 laps from the second-placed #3 team mini baja of Pretoria Technikon. –
– Sixth in the endurance event, but third overall was Cape Technikon’s #3 squad, who proved their engineering excellence in the technical-oreintated tests at Gerotek Test Facilities on Friday, finishing second in the points analysis of these tasks, behind Pretoria Technikon #1. –
– The competition, organized by the University of Pretoria’s Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering Department, “delivered very high standards this year”, says organizer, Schalk Els. –
– “The competing tertiary institutions’ designs were very innovative and most came through the wide variety of technical tasks (acceleration, top speed, braking, skid pull, hill climb, maneuverability) and the endurance event with flying colours, and promoting the objective of the competition to the public – the advancement of mechanical engineering as a career,” he added. –
– All mini baja vehicles were built by each team according to strict safety guidelines and powered by equally-tuned 7.5kw engines provided by event partner, Briggs & Stratton. –
– Sponsored by Sasol, the competition was this year further supported and endorsed by the Automotive Industry Development Corporation (AIDC), Gerotek, Daimler Chrysler SA and MSC Africa. –
– Gauteng teams took the positions just outside the podium spots, with University of Pretoria’s #3 car fourth and the #2 entry of Wits University fifth overall. –
– The University of Iran was the top non-South African team, placed 16th after struggling in the endurance race. The visitors completed 29 laps of the 2.9km circuit of sand, mud hole, water hole and a few daunting inclines, compared to the 41 laps navigated by the winners. –
– For full results and overall standings visit www.sasol.com and click on the Sasol Mini Baja 2003 icon. –
– Other special awards presented at the prizegiving were: –
– · Daimler Chrysler SA trophy (best static judging) – University of Cape Town. –
– · Briggs & Stratton trophy (best performance event) – Pretoria Technikon #1-
– · University of Pretoria trophy (best new car) – Pretoria Technikon #1-
– · AIDC trophy (best feasibility of mass production) – Cape Technikon #2-
– · University of Pretoria trophy (best social entry) – Cape Technikon #4-
– · MSC Africa award (best design) – University of Cape Town-
– · Gerotek trophy (1st overall) – Pretoria Technikon #1-
– Sasol presented a total of R10 000 prizemoney and beautifully-designed glass trophies to the top three teams. For further information on this year’s competition contact Schalk Els on 083 408 2248
