Baja SAE Williamsport Competition

  • Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 8:00 AM — 6:00 PM
  • Sunday, May 19, 2024 from 8:00 AM — 6:00 PM

This international event–expected to feature 100 collegiate teams and 1,000 participants–is fast approaching. Each team is tasked with designing, manufacturing and building a single-seat, off-road vehicle to survive various challenges, including a four-hour endurance race over a rugged 1.1-mile track.

College Relations

About the Event:

Event Details

  • Location:
    • Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Heavy Construction Equipment Operations Site: 782 Fritz Station Road, Montgomery, PA 17752. Please access Fritz Station Road from Route 15. No parking will be permitted on Fritz Station Road. 
      Get Directions
  • Admission: Free
  • Parking: 
    • Free spectator parking for Saturday and Sunday events is available at Penn College’s Schneebeli Earth Science Center: 203 Allenwood Camp Lane, Montgomery, PA 17752. Free shuttle service will be provided from there to the competition location. 
    • Please note: On Sunday, beginning at 9 a.m., only the free shuttle bus from the Earth Science Center will have access to Fritz Station Road and the competition site. 
      Get Directions
  • Comfort Facilities: Available
  • Concessions: Food trucks will be at the site.
  • Seating: There are no bleachers, so spectators are encouraged to bring a chair if they wish to sit.
  • Prohibited: No pets, bicycles, grills, smoking, vaping.

Upon arrival, spectators will be directed where to register and receive a wristband to wear while on the premises.

Event Schedule

Thursday, May 16 & Friday, May 17

Static Events 

8 a.m.-7 p.m.
These two days consist of technical inspections, presentations and design judging. The teams are not competing in their cars.

Saturday, May 18

Dynamic Events

Acceleration, sponsored by Cummins 
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
From a standing start, how fast the car can complete a 150-foot straight and level course. 

Hill Climb, sponsored by Gene Haas Foundation 
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
How fast the car can complete a course consisting of, at minimum, a 40-degree slope. The event tests the car’s low-speed traction. If the car can’t finish, its distance traveled is measured. 

Maneuverability, sponsored by Magna
9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
How fast the car can complete a twisting course requiring turning ability and acceleration/braking. Maneuverability tests the car’s high- and low-speed handling over relatively gentle terrain. If the car misses a gate, the run is invalidated. 

Suspension & Traction, sponsored by Oshkosh
9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
How fast the car can complete a rugged course consisting of inclines, rocks and other obstacles. The event tests the car’s suspension, ground clearance and traction abilities. If the vehicle fails to finish, the distance traveled is measured. 

All teams can make two attempts for Saturday’s events. 

Sunday, May 19 

Endurance Day, sponsored by Honda
9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Considered Baja SAE’s signature event, the four-hour competition over rough terrain is the ultimate test of the car’s durability and performance. The 1.1-mile track consists of hills, gullies, tight turns and numerous obstacles. The winner is determined by the number of laps completed. The cars are gridded according to the results from the acceleration event. 

Banquet & Awards, sponsored by Gene Haas Foundation 
2-4 p.m.

Helpful Info

Event Map

This helpful map gives you the layout of the event space-from parking and food to spectator and race areas. The map is also on the app.

Baja SAE App

Follow the action via the Baja SAE app – access competition news, maps, schedules and follow your favorite teams’ results throughout the competition. Available for download on Google Play or the Apple app store.

Get the Gear

Pre-order your official Baja Williamsport t-shirt now. The online store closes Monday, May 20, 2024 at 11 a.m.

Order Today

Join the Action

Learn more about Baja SAE Williamsport and available sponsorship opportunities or follow the competition page on Facebook.

Baja SAE Williamsport: Site Transformation

From the moment Pennsylvania College of Technology was selected to host Baja SAE Williamsport, it's been all hands on deck. Follow the transformation of the College's 125-acre heavy equipment operations site from a wide-open training space to the competition playground where 100 teams will battle it out for top bragging rights.

Baja SAE Endurance Course

Fly through first-person and bird's eye views of the Endurance Course for the inaugural Baja SAE Williamsport.

Penn College News:

 Baja in the News

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