The Citizen Chief Photographer Neil McCartney tests out the Sasol Baja SAE course at the Gerotek Test Facilities near Pretoria, 23 October 2014, ahead of the actual event, which will see engineering faculties from various universities compete in the challenge over the upcoming weekend. The annual event is an intercollegiate design competition run by the Gerotek. Teams of students from universities all over South Africa and two from India will design and build small off-road vehicles running on Briggs and Stratton engines of the same specifications. An estimated 250 students from 20 universities and technikons, will be participating with about 25 cars in the two day event. McCartney is joined in the vehicle by Edward Phalatsi, who works at the testing facility at Gerotek. Picture: Michel Bega
The race was held on Thursday, ahead of the actual Sasol Baja SAE Off Road Race, with The Citizen’s Baja driven by Chief Photographer Neil McCartney
The actual race this weekend will see cars designed by engineering students from around the country pitted against one another in a tough four-hour off road race.
Sasol SA Senior National Wheelchair Basketball star Richard Nortje came out tops in the five-lap race on Thursday.
Sasol SA Senior National Wheelchair Basketball star Richard Nortje and ‘navigator’ Nombuso Kunene came out tops in the 5 lap Sasol Baja Celebrity/Media Race held at Gerotek circuit near Tshwane on Thursday, 23 October 2014. Picture: Supplied
The race gave the media a first hand view of the circuit that the 13 Baja cars will face on Saturday.
The Sasol Baja SAE is an annual partnership between Sasol, Gerotek, technical competition specialists ESTEQ and engine suppliers, Briggs and Stratton, which allows engineering faculties of tertiary institutions to showcase their science and technological expertise in producing a Baja vehicle that will not only impress the judging panel, but also master the treacherous Gerotek circuit.
A total of 16 teams have entered for this year’s event.
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