UIC Motorsports team captures checkered flag

The UIC Baja team took first place in an off-season snow race at Michigan Tech University. The team raced in temperatures that ranged from -3 to 8 degrees.

By David Staudacher — davidst@uic.edu

The freezing temperatures of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula couldn’t stop the red-hot UIC Baja team from capturing the checkered flag at the annual Winter Baja 2016 hosted by Michigan Tech University Feb. 13.

Along with the first-place trophy, the UIC team burned up the track with the fastest lap time of the day — 3 minutes and 10 seconds — and dethroned the Iowa team that won the race the previous three years.

“The entire field of teams was excited for the dynasty to be unseated. We hope this brings a renewed sense of fun to the competition,” said Justin Czok, president of UIC Motorsports, the College of Engineering’s student chapter of the Society of Automotive Engineers.

The off-season snow race is a team endurance event. The day started at a frigid
-3 degrees at 7 a.m. with the tech inspection, and slowly warmed up to a chilling 8 degrees when the race concluded at 4 p.m.

A unique tradition that included eating pickled eggs confirmed the starting grid, and put UIC near the back of the pack. But persistent driving, efficient pit stops, and the dedication of the many people who built the car thrust them to the lead over 39 other cars.

“It was a feeling of disbelief when we first heard we were in the top five midway through the race,” Czok said. “As we watched our car climb in the standings over the course of the last three hours of the race, we saw our alumni near tears of joy to see how their work was being carried on by the current team.”

The Winter Baja is an opportunity for the team to refine its teamwork and prepare for the season of Society of Automotive Engineers competitions. The next race is in April at Tennessee Tech.

“It feels great to bring a trophy back to UIC,” said Baja captain Chris Dwyer.

“Everyone was motivated and did their part at the race, so our hard work definitely paid off.”

The Baja team is made up of mechanical and industrial engineering students Chris Dwyer, Matt Johnson, Maria Ruiz, Ben Silva, Taha Tayebali and Andrew Johnson; electrical and computer engineering student Justin Czok; computer science student Joseph Borowicz, and mechanical engineering alumni Jon Moser, Adam Miszta and Michelle Sentevski.