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Manhattan University is the proud home of the Jasper Racing SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Baja Team. We are a group of dedicated mechanical engineering students taking on the challenge of designing and building a fully functional, off-road, four-wheel-drive vehicle. Each year, we compete in the prestigious SAE Baja competition, where university teams from across the country test their engineering skills against rugged terrain, strict design requirements, and fierce competition. This year, we face our most ambitious challenge yet: building an entirely new vehicle from the ground up in time for the competition. That includes redesigning and fabricating new frame, drivetrain, and suspension systems while constrained by a strict timeline and tight budget.
Why are we asking for your support?
While we receive some funding from Manhattan University, it only covers a fraction of the cost. The following list gives a breakdown of the estimated costs of this project:
- Steel and raw materials for our new frame and other parts: $4,000+
- Drivetrain components (CVT, differentials, axles, engine, etc): $3,000+
- Wheels, tires, and hubs: $2,700+
- Suspension and steering components (A-arms, shocks, steering rack, etc): $3,500+
- Other components and materials (Brakes, safety gear, seat, fasteners, etc): $3,000+
- Manufacturing costs (Custom machining transfercase, shafts, knuckles, etc): $6,000+
- Competition registration: $1,800+
- Shop consumables (Welding gas, cutting blades, etc): $1,500+
In total, we predict a cost of over $25,500 for the vehicle alone, not to mention the additional funding needed to cover transportation and team housing for the competition.
Who are we?
This isn’t just a club project; we’re a close-knit group of engineering students. For all of us, this is our senior design capstone project, the result of four years of class theory applied to a real-world engineering problem. We have and will continue to spend many late nights designing, analyzing, and prototyping every part of our vehicle because we are passionate, curious, and driven to innovate. Our goal in building this car is to demonstrate that we are engineers capable of handling mechanical problems in the real world, carrying out creativity in design, and functioning as a cohesive team under pressure.
How will your donation help?
Every single dollar you contribute goes directly towards the design, manufacturing, and competition efforts of the Jasper Racing Team. Your support will help us:
- Buy materials and get parts machined
- Transport our vehicle to the competition
- Register and participate in an official SAE event that can help open up our careers
- Represent Manhattan University and show what our students can do on a national stage
We believe in what we are creating. We can take this vehicle from pencil marks on paper to tire tracks on dirt roads with your help. Thank you for helping us bring this project to life!
The Jasper Racing SAE Baja Team
Organizer
