Baja NOW - Baja @ UI Career Fair & MTU Blizzard Baja: February 13-15 2020
What a week for Iowa Baja! This week, members participated in two important events, The University of Iowa’s College of Engineering Career fair and MTU Blizzard Baja in Houghton, MI. The week started with final preparations for Blizzard Baja. Final preparations were made to the cars competing, The Patriot (Car 33), Nighthawk (Car 51) & Car 48. Bolt tightness and safety systems were checked while newer members were briefed on the conditions that are commonly faced due to the harsh climate of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
College of Engineering Career Fair
February 13th, 2020
On Thursday, members attended the College of Engineering Career Fair. While the University of Iowa’s Spring Engineering Career fair is traditionally smaller than the version in the fall, a large number of notable companies still made an appearance to select from the best candidates the College of Engineering has to offer. Members of Iowa Baja made the most of their time engaging with the companies present. Not only were our members able to schedule interviews from multiple companies, but we also saw some former members return to interview on behalf of their companies. Former member Spencer Van Dorn (Class of 2019) stopped by to represent RFA Engineering, one of our sponsors, to recruit new talent to their company. It is always great to have Baja alumni support the team at the career fair!
Representatives from RFA Engineering & Iowa Baja Racing at the UI Career Fair
Post Career Fair Meetings & Travel to Houghton, Michigan
February 13-14 2020
After the Career Fair, the Baja Lab welcomed Graco Manufacturing to the Baja Lab to meet with some of our members. Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense, and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. With a workforce of over 3,500 people worldwide, their global presence allows them to manufacture equipment for thousands of customers in over 100 countries. Representatives were able to visit for a tour of the Baja Laboratory as well as to schedule 1-on-1 interviews with our members. Soon after, Aagard Group, a company specializing in the design of custom case parkers, cartons, sleeves, and more visited to connect with our members.
In summary, the UI Career Fair was a success for members of the Baja Team. Not only were members able to distribute their resumè and network with potential future employers, but they were also able to utilize all of the communication and practical skills gained while being a member of Iowa Baja.
Immediately after the career fair, packing for Blizzard Baja began. With the temperature rapidly dropping, the team hurried to load the trailer. At 7:00 AM Friday, the group began the 9 hour, 500-mile drive to Houghton, Michigan. After stopping for fresh cheese in Wisconsin along the way, they arrived in Houghton around 6:00 PM. To prepare for the event, the team began to charge race transponders, GoPros, cameras, and more before getting rest in anticipation of the long day ahead.
2020 MTU Blizzard Baja
February 15th, 2020
Overview
Before 6:00 AM, the team arrived on the campus of Michigan Technological University for Blizzard Baja. A unique race on the Baja calendar, the students of Michigan Tech create a track in the snow. With long sweeping turns, fresh powder-like snow, and a 6-foot “Joker” lap jump, it is one of our favorite courses of the year. The cars were quickly rushed to Technical Inspection, where representatives from the hosting team inspect vehicles for necessary safety equipment (fire extinguishers, seat belts, working brakes) and race equipment (legible numbers and working lap count transponders). Unfortunately, members soon realized the clutch cover of Car 48 was left in Iowa City. Clutch covers would protect the driver from potential issues if a clutch were to fail during an event. Luckily, one was quickly fabricated while in line for inspection. In less than an hour, all three cars passed Technical Inspection with flying colors. After this, members attended a driver and volunteer briefing to learn about the course and to hear from course officials on rules and regulations.
Dynamic Events
Dynamic events are mini-events that are held before the Endurance Showcase, where teams and their cars are put to the test in a time-trial style environment. Michigan Tech's Dynamic trial is as unique as the race itself. Groups of four must drive through a slalom, stop in a box, then perform a driver's change while eating a pickled egg, a delicacy in Michigan. After a driver's change, they must race over a series of moguls back to the starting line. This year, Iowa Baja had another 1st place performance with President Ben Atzen, Social Media Coordinator Pierce Knarr, and members Josh Zwolinski and Zack Kijowski with Nighthawk Car 51.
“WOOOOO! YOU LIKE THAT?”
Driver Ben Atzen preparing for a Dynamic
The team preparing to race
Dynamic Event Team | From Left: Josh Zwolinski, Pierce Knarr & Ben Atzen
Endurance Showcase
11:00 AM
Nighthawk (Car 51) | Driver - Josh Zwolinski
Nighthawk, our 2019 National Competition Vehicle from Gorman, California, had a remarkable performance. Driver Josh Zwolinski was a force to be reckoned with. Starting mid-field, he began to overtake car after car, while making the notorious 6-foot “Joker” jump seem effortless. For the entire race, Nighthawk put on display its durability, agility and sped to an effortless 2nd place finish.
Josh Zwolinksi off the Joker
Josh Zwolinski receives the trophy
“For barely ever sitting in that car specifically it was definitely a learning process. The joker specifically was something I could only fathom of but after hitting it I became confident in car”
“That’s some of the best driving I’ve ever seen working this event, but that car kicks a**.”
The Patriot (Car 33) | Driver - Alex Dalziel
As a 4th year member of Baja, Alex is a veteran of the brutal conditions of Blizzard Baja. This, however, was one of his best performances behind the wheel. With a restrained start at first, he held his position for a few laps. Soon after, he let it rip, jumping The Patriot across the “Joker,” overtaking the competition with a loose, but a fast example of wheelman skill. About 2 hours in, the front right tire came off its bead after a slightly shaky landing off of the “Joker.” After it was towed to the pits, members were able to repair the car in less than a minute, and Alex continued for a strong 6th place finish.
“I think I drove pretty well and learned a lot about driving. It could have been better but I sure had fun. ”
Car 48
Drivers: Eric Jones, Paulina Kroczak, Andrew Senneff,
Abby Denson & Patrick Kelly
Car 48 once again demonstrated the reliability of a vehicle built by Iowa Baja. As an older design not optimized for flight, the team decided it was best to keep it on the standard course. Eric began strong, Paulina, Andrew, and Abby held track position, with Patrick Kelly finished strong, overtaking cars for an impressive finish.
“The car handled well for its age and weight. Unfortunately, I got stuck behind a car which had dug ruts on a snowy hill which cost me track position”