Tuks Baja Project Off-Road Car. Baja SAE Event. Ohio September 2026.
Every once in a while you come across a story that really makes your day. We met a group of “Tuks” University Of Pretoria engineering students who are literally taking on the world manufacturing offroad buggies, virtually from scratch to race against the rest of the world in the annual USA at the Baja SAE event.
The Baja SAE event began in 1976 at the University of South Carolina. Initially the event was called the Mini Baja competition, with only 10 teams participating. Administered by SAE International, its goal is to challenge university students to design and build a rugged, single-seat, off-road vehicle that can withstand rough terrain and also be feasible for mass production. The competition has since grown into a premier engineering design series with over 110 university teams competing.
This is the first Tuks team that will be going across since he COVID pandemic kyboshed the last attempt. The Motomedia crew were invited along to meet, what turned out to be, a remarkably enthusiastic group of university Of Pretoria students who are undertaking the project – all outside of “Normal” Uni hours.
The Tuks engineering campus is really quite something to behold – Lush lawns, shady trees and gracious old sandstone buildings. The perfect environment for academia and a nurturing establishment for South Africa and the world’s future nation builders. It also has an incredibly well equipped set of labs for the purpose – everything from laser cutters, to welding units, CAD design programmes and billet milling machines.
It’s literally a perfect manufacturing plant for any petrol head.
We were greeted by a gaggle of University Of Pretoria students, from all kinds of backgrounds and walks of life who were just so enthusiastic and passionate about what they are up to. Two of their prototype buggies, one electric and a second 10HP four stroke powered machine were on hand.
To understand the scope of the project:
This is a design competition where degree students from institutions around the world compete with off-road vehicles designed and built by themselves.
Starting with only a rulebook and a Briggs & Stratton 10 hp engine, students are required to devise a concept design which they refine until they have a final design. The students then build the vehicle and take part in the competition.
Every team is limited to a stock 10-horsepower engine, and the challenge is to engineer a competitive power-to-weight ratio to ensure a lighter car that is able to accelerate faster and handle the punch than its competitors.
A complete design and costing report must be submitted, which forms a part of the student’s academic marks.
The Tuks Buggies:
The Tuks University team has literally fabricated these cars from raw materials. Everything from the Chrome Moly Frames, to the hydro-pneumatic suspension, drive trains and transfer boxes. Brake components, final drive systems, clutch hubs and systems…
It was, quite frankly, mind blowing to see the skill and innovation the UP students display – especially for anyone who has an interest in technical aspects of the build.
Read that again:
The only bits that are not manufactured from scratch are basically the engines and tyres.
The rest of the components are designed and manufactured in-house.
The off-road buggies are built to strict, predetermined specifications in order to qualify to race. Each member of the Tuks team gives input and as the project progresses, individual strengths are recognised and specific tasks are assigned according to those strengths.
It’s amazing to see the synergy, enthusiasm and sheer determination.
They were silly enough to allow us to ride them…
We hopped in, fastened the helmets and strapped on the harnesses.The young Tuks engineers lined up all along the leafy walkways and instructed us to “Put Foot”.
Man are they fun!
The electric car took the lead, but as the battery ran down, the petrol unit started to make sense as we railed through the impromptu slalom course.
Components are designed and manufactured by the students and sensors are fitted to everything for performance feedback..
Remember:
These are cars manufactured by young UP engineers and are designed for the dirt. We were racing around a paved circuit, ever mindful of the beautifully manicured surrounding lawns as fast as we could go.
There should have been a crash, or a roll – there usually is when one of our lot are involved…
The cars stuck like glue, no matter how hard we punched them. Granted, they are certainly not the fastest machines that we’ve ever driven, but they are quick enough to give a feel for the workmanship and innovations that have gone into the chassis, steering and suspension.
Flippen amazing!
And these are mere prototypes. We look forward to sampling the finished product.
Did you know that Tuks University and South Africa won the overall design award in 2012?
Neither did we. That’s against the rest of the world. How cool is that?
They want to do it again.
Team Tuks Baja is looking for sponsors to help them get to the Baja SAE event in Ohio September 2026. If ever there was a team worth backing – then this is it. South African innovation on the world stage.
South African engineers flying the SA flag high!
Want to see one in action?
On the 29th of November, the Tuks University Baja team is hosting a Tuks Baja track day on the outskirts of Pretoria. We absolutely recommend that you guys get down there, have a looksee and give these guys your support. We’ll see you there!
Be sure to look them up on their web page: https://www.up.ac.za/tuksbaja-vehicle-team
