(Source: School of Automotive Engineering, School of Automation, School of International Education)
On October 19, 2024, the 2024 SAE-China Baja Competition·Nanxun Station, co-organized by the Society of Automotive Engineers of China (SAE-China) and the International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA), concluded successfully in Nanxun, Zhejiang. The event brought together 76 teams from across China for a thrilling showcase of speed and innovation.Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) made history with three teams excelling in their respective categories:
Hydrogen Baja Racing Team: Overall Champion (Hydrogen Group) with 2nd-place finishes in Business Plan, Design Report, Acceleration, and Endurance Race, plus the Cutting-Edge Technology Innovation Award.
Combustion Baja Team: 4th Place Nationally (First-Class Award)
Electric Baja Team: National Second-Class Award
The teams collectively secured 12 awards, while advisor Professor Tian Zhewen was honored as an "Outstanding Contributor of the Decade" for SAE-China Baja.
Over six intense competition days, 70+ WUT students and advisors embodied the Baja Spirit ("Unity, Diligence, Resilience, Excellence"), working tirelessly to optimize their vehicles for events including Design Evaluation, Cost Analysis, Hill Climb, Maneuverability, and 4-Hour Endurance Race. Their dedication culminated in flawless performances across all challenges.
Faculty leaders from WUT’s School of Automotive Engineering, School of Automation, and International Education College visited the pits, offering guidance and applauding the teams’ achievements. Advisor Luo Maji highlighted to China Automotive News how the competition bridges academia and industry: "Troubleshooting other teams’ vehicles alongside our students provides unparalleled real-world learning—this is why Baja accelerates both education and hydrogen technology development."
Professor Luo Maji, faculty advisor of the Hydrogen Baja Racing Team, stated in an interview with China Automotive News that the successful hosting of the Hydrogen Baja competition not only significantly benefits students' professional development but also serves as a crucial catalyst for advancing the university's hydrogen energy curriculum."The inter-team competition and knowledge exchange during the event create an exceptional learning platform," Luo emphasized. "When other teams encountered technical issues with their vehicles, we would collectively analyze the root causes with our students - these troubleshooting experiences substantially broaden their horizons." He noted that such hands-on operational challenges provide invaluable practical learning opportunities that greatly enhance both the team's academic research and technical competencies.
Every team member exemplified the fusion of passion and precision, pushing boundaries in automotive innovation. WUT’s Baja program continues to cultivate top-tier talent for China’s auto industry, with alumni now shaping the sector’s future—proof of the university’s commitment to "Education-Industry-Science" synergy and the nation’s Automotive Powerhouse vision.
(Contributed by: Tian Zhewen, Luo Maji, Wu Jiang | Final review: Cai Chun, Lü Rui, Shi Hu)
