I feel kind of funny about asking this, but I’m desperate. I’m the captain of one of my school’s SAE Mini Baja teams and it looks like I wont have my team unless we raise some money real fast. I go to the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) and raising money is like pulling teeth. Most of the larger companies only give donations to charitable causes that help out the community in some way. Unfortunately, the engineering community doesn’t count in their eyes, can’t say I blame them really.

Our faculty advisor will not let us build or even order parts unless we raise $2,000 by the end of the year. Right now we are looking pretty good for getting half of that, but we’re still scratching our heads over the other half. Once we raise the 2 grand he will give us access to another 2 grand we will get from the school. If we can’t do so, whatever money we raise, as well as the money from the school, will go to our other team. I’m under the impression he wants to support one team instead of two.

So far my team has most of the frame and suspension designed, we have 2 rock crawler guys on board this year who have a ton of ideas for their trucks that were scaled down some for our buggy. We should be ready to start crunching numbers soon, and start building over the winter break.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the competition, we have to build a buggy from scratch, use a 10hp Briggs and Stratton engine, and follow an 80 + page rule book. The frame has to be made out of 1” OD x .083” wall tubing or better, should be covered with some kind of padding to protect the driver, have a brake light and backup light if equipped… the list goes on forever. There are three competitions in the U.S. (East, Midwest, and West). NJIT participates in the Midwest since the east has a water crossing, and the west is just plain too far, but they have a rock crawling section as well. The dynamic portions consist of braking, accelerating, a sled pull, hill climb… and yes, even an autocross!! Static judging is based on overall design, presentation, craftsmanship, driver comfort, innovation, and feasibility of mass production. The Midwest competition will be held in Ohio during the second weekend of June.

We’re willing to take any kind of donation possible… parts, money, tools, guidance, a box of cookies, anything we can get money from really. If you can help out in any way please pm or e-mail me and I will send you all of the information. Your donations will be tax deductible and should be sent right to the school.

These links are to the rule book and our website for last year’s team.
http://www.sae.org/students/mbrules.pdf
http://web.njit.edu/~ejp2/baja.html


Thanks for reading and any help possible,
Chris.

FYI, I asked trackbird if it was OK to post something like this and he doesn’t seem to mind.

Chris asked me if it was ok to ask for support from the racing community here. I didn't see why not. If we could get every member of the board to donate $4.00, we'd surpass the goal Chris has set. I know that we'll never see 100% participation, but can we spare $10 or so out of the racing budget?

If needed, we can send it to my paypal address and I'll send one check when we hit the deadline. I'm open to suggestions, if anyone has a way to help Chris and his crew raise funds (I'm open to suggestions? If I can setup a GP [with the blessing of our sponsors of course] and donate the proceeds to the SAE club? Anyone have any thoughts?).

Or, anyone who can spare a few dollars, feel free to post that you can donate (if you don't want to list the amount, send a pm, I'll keep a list, or e-mail me at trackbird (at) columbus.rr.com - replace (at) with @ and remove the spaces).

This is not something I'd usually do on the board, but I know many members are engineers and many more are working on it. Besides, these guys may be desiging our next favorite car when they get out of school.

I'm in for a few dollars. I'll start at $10. Anyone else? (Don't feel obligated, the holidays are a bad time to try to raise funds and I understand that, but if you'd like to help, please do).

I can do $5 just let me know when.

I'm in for $50 if it will get Chris to his goal. I feel for you, since we had a very tough time raising the money for our Mini Baja team at Memphis State when I was going to college. I didn't help build the car, but many of my friends did.

you should put a countdown on how much is left... and update it... can motivate more people to participate.
I'll chip in... probably throw paypal is the best.
It's the HOLIDAYS SPIRIT ...

That's $65 (plus Eugenio). $1935 to go!!!!

And I made it a sticky (and edited your topic to show the total and get attention to the fact that it's an SAE fundraiser).

Count me for $25.00, from an ex-engineering student turned roughneck and part-time grease monkey.

Tony

I went to NJIT also. Who's the faculty advisor these days? I always wanted to do SAE while in college, but between 18-21 credits and an internship, I never seemed to have time.

$1910 to go.

Sweet... You guys are the best!!

Kevin, thanks for all the help. I didn't expect to get a response like this, every penny helps.

Dennis, professor Miller is the faculty advisor. He's been doing this for a number of years so far.

To everyone who has chipped in so far, you have all my thanks. Since this is a sticky I'll post updates and pics. We're going to cover the car with sponsor's decals so I'll have to get a couple FRRAX logos on there too.

Kevin, I just Paypal'd you $10.....good luck Chris, let us know what happens. JOhn

Thanks! I'll add it to the fund.

$1900 left!

Thanks again for all the help guys, that's $100 in the first 24 hours. I also want to say that this money will ONLY go to my team, if my team doesn't raise enough money then all of your donations will be returned.

Does anyone have a few suggestions for running a fund raiser that would raise money from a bunch of engineering students? We were thinking of a car show, but we would have to make enough to pay for additional security. Newark is the car theft capital of the world!

I'll keep track of the donations and amounts (most will be in the thread). And, if it does not make the needed total, I'll have the list of who gets what (minus any paypal fees for those who paypal).

Thanks again guys!

Have you ever seen "The Full Monty"? You might be able to raise some money like that. But, I'll throw in $10, if you keep your clothes on. Do we just paypal trackbird?

That's the plan.

Thanks guys!

$1890 left!

Paypal sent...

Just sent in $25...I'm a former SAE President with three Mini-Bajas and one Super Mileage Vehicle under his belt, I understand where you're at. Good luck man, sorry I can't do more.

Thanks again to everyone who has made a contribution. I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.

$1865 Left!

I just sent $50 via Paypal. C'mon guys, you can spare a few bucks. I figure we can worry about the bills after Christmas. All of us who still have decent jobs can give thanks over the holidays. I hope you make it Chris!

$1815 Left. Thanks Guys!

just sent you a PAYPAL kevin.

Thanks. I guess everyone from the beginning of the thread can paypal as well, or pm me for a mailing address. We'll gather this up and go from there. I'm not pulling the money out of paypal until I find out if it's needed/enough. If we have to return it, I should be able to refuse the transaction (I think) and send it back.

Thanks Guys!

$1805!

Is that the address to use for PayPal?

Kevin, either PM me or email me with your paypal address and the $50 will be on the way.

trackbird(at)columbus.rr.com is my paypal address.

Thanks guys.

Translating from the anti-spam version was clear enough (if you want to delete the harvestable version), I just wanted to make sure it was the address you use for PayPal.

$1725

i'm in for 50$.
I can send a US$ check... just give me the address.
Paypal, i get screwed on the can-us exchange.

Another $25 ...

Once again many thanks! Within the past week, two of the larger companies I sent sponsor letters to have gotten back to me. It looks like they want to help out, so my team might actually be able to start building soon. They really haven't said how much they're in for yet, but I have a more positive look on things now. Time is also an issue since the big decision makers are out of the office for the holidays. I’ll let you know what happens as soon as I find out anything.

I've posted a few pics of last year’s team
http://www.vilipend.com/~frrax/album36

$1650 to go. Thanks guys.

Add $25

PM'd you Kevin

Mike P.

$1625 to go.

email me at "cyrcle55@aol", and I'll be in for 25.00. I just need know who to send it to. (I'm not into paypal). Merry Christmas!!

Hey guys,

Sorry I missed this one. For some reason I just don't seem to notice the pinned messages. Unbalanced Engineering would like to contribute $100. Merry Christmas to all.

Jason S.

$1500 to go. Thanks guys!!!

woohoo... figured a new thread (unpinned) would bring some traffic here and probably some more donations.

I noticed that...good work .

Thanks again to everyone so far, it's nice to see a group so willing to give back to support the hobby we love so much. I appreciate it and the SAE team really appreciates it.

thanks... did you get my check ?

Not yet.

was sent over a week ago

It showed up today.

Anyone else feeling generous after the holidays? We are at $500 and depending on the corperate sponsorship, we are hopefully quite close.

Thanks guys!

Just paypaled the money. Hopefully it does some good.

Ok guys. We'll have the final word in a few days, but it looks like there are enough corp sponsors lined up to cover the difference between what we have raised and the $1,000 they started with. So, if you have not already send your donation, please do so (I have to mail the check in a few days). If you need contact information, please send me a PM and I'll give you the paypal and mailing information.

Thanks for all your support. I know Chris is also very grateful for your assistance.

:drive:

Check went out this morning. Sorry I'm so late with it!

No problem....

WAHOO!!!

Tonight I got notification from our facutly advisor that the corporate sponsor came through for the team. So we'll place an order for steel tomorrow and get this show on the road.

Once again I would like to thank everyone for their donation, it will definately go to a good cause. If anyone owns/runs a business please let me know and I'll make some kind of decal to put on the car as well as a few FRRAX decals. I know Unbalanced Engineering will get a spot as well, anyone else?