LOUISIANA La. — Before their final year of classes even started, a dozen University of Louisiana mechanical engineering seniors began preparing for the design competition that has taken up nearly every waking moment of their lives for the last two semesters.

On Thursday, the team will see how the off-road vehicle they’ve perfected matches up to about 90 other competitors in the Society of Automotive Engineers’ Mini Baja West design competition in Portland, Ore.

The teams are judged on every level, from a sales presentation to design and ability on the road, including hill climbs and acceleration.

Students in the university’s mechanical engineering program are required to complete a senior project, but the Baja project is “up and above the main requirement,” said William Emblom, team faculty advisor. Team member Tara Landry laughed out loud at that.

“It should count as four,” Landry said. She is the team’s only member who has already graduated. She wanted to see her senior project through to the competition.

Students managed to cram three semesters of work into two, team members said.

“The Baja seems to be the most labor intensive,” said Scott Engelbrecht, team member. “I put in 1,000 man hours. So, that’s 12,000 hours from the team. It’s unreal the amount of effort.”

Areas on campus became the team’s track during preparations for the race. When a hill couldn’t be found on campus, they improvised, driving the car up the back steps of Rougeau Hall.

“It’s a breeze,” said John Pechon, an honorary team member. “It just flies right up.”

The vehicle can handle a 60-degree incline.

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Marsha Sills
msills@theadvertiser.com