RIT Mini-Baja Cars Lead the Pack After Two Contests

Rochester Institute of Technology’s mini-Baja cars captured seventh and 10th places overall at Mini Baja East competition, May 10–12, at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

RIT’s high showing in the event puts the team in first and third places in total points among teams participating in all three national mini-Baja contests this spring. Last month, RIT earned fourth and eighth places at the Mini Baja West. Next month, RIT competes in the Midwest Mini Baja, June 1–3, in Troy, Ohio.

RIT is one of only six universities, and the only one from New York state, to enter all three events.

In last weekend’s competition, challenging more than 30 cars, RIT captured ninth and 10th places in the grueling, "rough-terrain" endurance race. Other categories include acceleration, braking, hill climbing, maneuverability, speed, traction, cost, design and safety.

In April, RIT competed for the first time at the Mini Baja Brazil. The only team from the United States in the South American contest, RIT captured first place in the endurance race and fifth place overall.