Sasol’s annual BAJA SAE is fast approaching and university students across the country are gearing up towards showing their vehicles off at the Gerotek Testing facilities in Pretoria. The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) will be competing compete for the title, for the third time since the competitions inception

BAJA SAE is an intercollegiate design competition run by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). University students are invited to design, build and race off-road vehicles that withstand the harshest elements of rough terrain. Running for 16 successful years, the competition has established itself as the premier technological education event on the tertiary institutions calendar, as a tool to promote and evaluate quality automotive engineering education in South Africa.

Dubbing themselves “Freddie’s Four” - the UKZN team consists of Kione Chetty, Keegan Pillay, Mershan Reddy and Avilan Reddy all 4^th year engineering students passionate about cars and motorsports. The team designed and assembled their vehicle from scratch and it has been a work in progress since the beginning of this year. In designing their vehicle, the team focused on weight optimisation and performance.

To ensure their vehicle is on par with the latest trends and innovation, their vehicle chassis is lightweight and compact, its transmission employs a reverse gear and the final drive transferred via CV joints is connected to transmission output.

The BAJA vehicles are judged on the creation of design specifications and the ability to meet those specifications. Computer aided drafting, analysis, testing and development, manufacturability, serviceability, system integration and how the vehicle works together as a whole, are all key factors in choosing the overall winner.

“Bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge gained in university to industry knowledge and manufacturing capabilities was the main challenge we encountered. To overcome this, we consulted with vehicle manufacturers to help us identify of the best solution to engine and structural modifications for our vehicle,” said team leader, Avilan Reddy.

When asked what they would advise school-going learners who wish to take up engineering as a career, the team revealed, “Engineering is an exciting programme which is both challenging and enjoyable.  It is a career in which one has to keep adapting and growing to meet the latest technology and new methods of doing things.”

“At Sasol, we are committed to the development of science and technology. With a growing concern regarding the critical need for engineers in South Africa, we are constantly looking for new ways to encourage the youth to pursue a career in engineering,” says Dumisani Mbokane, Sponsorship Specialist at Sasol.

The Baja SAE event has been a central component of the Sasol sponsorship portfolio, with the company having supported the event continuously since its inception in South Africa in 1996.

The 17^th installment of the Sasol Baja SAE takes place at the Gerotek Test Facilities, West of Pretoria. The public is welcome to attend on the Saturday and entrance is free.

For more information and directions, visit bajasa.esteq.co.za

Issued by:

Alex Anderson, Group Media Manager

Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3295; Mobile +27 (0) 71 600 9605;

alex.anderson@sasol.com

Jacqui O’Sullivan, GM: Group Communication

Direct telephone +27 (11) 441 3252; Mobile +27 (0) 82 883 9697;

jacqui.osullivan@sasol.com