May 1, 2025
After success in the snow, Ferris State Baja Race Team prepares for national competition in Arizona
Ferris State University’s Baja Race Team is excited for one of its most anticipated events of the year, the Society of Automotive Engineers Baja Nationals in Marana, Arizona.
The Baja Team features students volunteering hundreds of hours designing, fabricating, and testing a new off-road car every two years. Team members build the vehicle from scratch, incorporating design elements tailored to meet the strict SAE standards.
It’s a labor of love for these Ferris State students.
“Participating on an SAE team allows our students to get real-world experience working cross-functionally with teams,” said the team’s faculty advisor, Jeremy Themm, an associate professor in the College of Engineering Technology’s School of Automotive and Heavy Equipment. “The product that each student contributes is not just a widget created for a grade. These parts have to work and last.”
Baja Team members represent a range of Ferris State academic programs, including Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Automotive Engineering, and Welding Engineering Technology. In sub-teams, students focus on key components such as drivetrain, suspension, brakes, and chassis design; SAE team students gain critical hands-on experience in project management, engineering design, and teamwork.
The Baja Nationals event in Arizona, which runs from May 1 to May 4, is one of several competitions the team participates in annually.
Earlier in 2025, Ferris State competed in the Blizzard Baja hosted by Michigan Technological University in Houghton. Competitions evaluate more than the vehicle’s speed. The vehicle tests include durability, maneuverability, suspension, and endurance over rough terrain.
“Being able to compete allows the students to have pride in something they have done. They will soon be able to enjoy the fruits of their labor,” Themm said.
As SAE team members put the finishing touches on their latest vehicle, they continue showcasing innovation, dedication, and technical excellence.