Engineering prowess and spirited competition were on full display at the Penn College BAJA SAE event in Williamsport, PA. Students from across the nation convened to test their off-road vehicles, pushing the boundaries of innovation and performance. Pace-O-Matic was a proud Team Platinum Sponsor and Event Meal Sponsor, providing nearly 7,000 meals to SAE students during the 4-day event.

For Pace-O-Matic, sponsorships like this are more than just supporting amazing initiatives – they are investing in our future. By championing STEM education and affording students the opportunity to engage in real-world engineering challenges, Pace-O-Matic hopes to play a small role in nurturing the next generation of inventors, innovators, and problem-solvers.

Over the years, Pace-O-Matic has consistently championed and invested in STEM education because Pace-O-Matic’s founder Michael Pace, hailed as the father of the coin-op amusement industry, is no stranger to the world of invention. From his humble beginnings tinkering with pinball machines to establishing Pace-O-Matic, the national leader in skill games, Pace's journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of innovative thinking and perseverance.

The Penn College BAJA SAE sponsorship is part of a long-standing partnership between the Pennsylvania College of Technology and Pace-O-Matic. During the event, students unveiled their meticulously crafted off-road vehicles, each representing months of tireless effort, collaboration, and engineering expertise. From robust suspension systems to high-performance engines, every aspect of the vehicles was diligently formulated and constructed.

For the participating students, this BAJA SAE event symbolized more than just a competition—it was an opportunity to put their skills to the test in a real-world scenario. From conceptualizing and fabricating parts to fine-tuning performance and troubleshooting challenges, the obstacles they encountered were as diverse as they were demanding.

Yet, amidst the fierce competition, a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration permeated the event. Students from different teams exchanged insights, shared stories of triumphs and setbacks, and forged bonds that transcended the competition. Among the students, Michael Pace joined the conversation as they dove into the engineering details of their vehicles.

One Canadian student expressed his excitement, saying, "Having a real engineering company like Pace-O-Matic and its founder Michael Pace attend the BAJA SAE event is fantastic. It's inspiring to see successful engineers engage with us and share their real-world insights."

As the dust settles on another successful BAJA SAE event, one thing is abundantly clear: the future of engineering is bright and promising. With the unwavering dedication of students who participated in the Penn College event and stalwart sponsors like Pace-O-Matic championing their efforts, the possibilities are limitless.

In the words of Michael Pace himself, "Innovation is the lifeblood of progress, and STEM education is the key to unlocking its full potential."

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Competition Standings (source, https://www.pct.edu/news/article/2024/05/19/baja-event-thrills-penn-college-finishes-fourth-in-endurance)

The Baja SAE Williamsport event hosted by Pennsylvania College of Technology attracted 102 collegiate engineering teams from the U.S., Canada, and Brazil. The competition concluded with an awards ceremony following the four-hour endurance race, which saw Penn College clinch fourth place. Virginia Tech emerged victorious in the endurance race, out of the 89 participating teams. Notably, Penn College was among the select few teams to complete over 50 laps in the final test, marking their 15th top-10 finish in the endurance race since 2011.

In the overall standings, Penn College secured a commendable 10th position, bolstered by their notable performances in other categories. The home team achieved fourth place in suspension and traction and eighth place in maneuverability, contributing to their overall standing. École de technologie supérieure from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, claimed the coveted first-place finish in the overall standings, underscoring their prowess in the competition.

For more information and photos of the event, visit https://www.pct.edu/news/article/2024/05/19/baja-event-thrills-penn-college-finishes-fourth-in-endurance