Mini Baja® East Frame Design

The Mini Baja East competition challenges engineering students to design, fabricate, and race an off-road amphibious vehicle that can handle a series of obstacles that range from off-road maneuverability to a pond crossing. SAE regulations state that every two years the frame must be re-designed and completely re-built. Rules also state that the frame must undergo major design modifications in order to meet the most recent safety standards. These requirements specify a thicker tube wall for the roll cage and greater head and arm clearances for the driver. This will help insure the safety of the driver in case of a rollover or a collision. These new safety standards are our primary concern when designing the frame. Our secondary objective while designing this frame is to keep it as light as possible. This can be accomplished by reducing pipe wall thickness or incorporating lighter materials. See the links on the left for various frame pictures, safety guidelines, and progress to date.