Baja SAE Arizona Design Competition & Endurance Race

Off-road racing in Marana!

More than 60 college engineering teams put their design skills to the test right here in Marana!

Event Recap
What is Baja SAE?

Marana witnessed high-octane excitement as Baja SAE Arizona 2025 rolled into town May 1st through the 4th. Post Farms (home to the Marana Pumpkin Patch) transformed into a thrilling proving ground for college engineering teams from across North America, and around the world.

Over 60 colleges from across North America rolled in with custom-built off-road machines, ready to test their grit. Hometown favorites from the University of Arizona along with the team from Northern Arizona University also competed.

2025 Top 10 in Competition:

  1. Cornell University
  2. (ETS) Ecole De Technologie Superieure
  3. Johns Hopkins University
  4. Case Western Reserve
  5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
  6. Cal Poly Tech State
  7. Perdue
  8. Virginia Tech
  9. McMaster University
  10. Oregon State

2025 Endurance Challenge Winner: Case Western Reserve

2025 Dynamics Challenge Winner: Virginia Tech

This year’s event welcomed over 60 teams from the United States, Mexico, and Canada and over 3,000 people to the Post Farms Pumpkin Patch. Online streaming views topped over 5,000 for the weekend competition. It was a unique opportunity to witness innovation, teamwork, and mechanical grit in action.

CreditJosh Spivey

What is Baja SAE?

Baja SAE, hosted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), challenges university students to design, build, and race single-seat, all-terrain vehicles capable of conquering extreme off-road conditions. The competition mimics real-world engineering and manufacturing scenarios, testing not just speed but also durability, ergonomics, and cost-efficiency.

Check out this great article from Tucson Spotlight on the event.

Watch: 2025 Baja SAE Race Recap!
Watch: 2025 Baja SAE Award Ceremony

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Stefanie Boe

Author

Stefanie Boe

Tourism and Marketing Manager, Discover Marana/Town of Marana

Stefanie Boe is not just the Tourism and Marketing Manager for Discover Marana, she is also a passionate storyteller and a proud resident of the town. She has deep roots in the Marana area, going back to the 1970s when her family moved here from Chicago. She loves to share the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Marana with visitors and locals alike.
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