One of the three Ohio Northern University Baja SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) cars that competed at the Midnight Mayhem in Bedford, Ky., Oct. 4-5 took third place in the endurance race.

Driving the No. 32 car, the Polar Bear team of freshmen Hunter Hammond, a civil engineering major from Jacobsburg, Ohio; Walker Karg, a mechanical engineering major from Upper Sandusky, Ohio; Benjamin Kelley, a mechanical engineering major from Alliance, Ohio; and sophomore Matt Harris, a mechanical engineering major from Hamiliton, Ohio, garnered third overall in the endurance race, bringing home a coveted Louisville Slugger baseball bat representing Louisville University, which puts on the event every year.

ONU sent three cars to compete in the annual event, which featured 40 universities and 76 cars. After the cars go through a safety inspection, the teams have three timed dynamic events that put the cars and drivers through their paces to determine where the cars start in the grueling four-hour endurance race featuring twists, turns and jumps. The dynamic events include an acceleration test, suspension and traction test, and a handling event.

The No. 7 car, driven by seniors James Mong, a civil engineering major from Macedonia, Ohio, and Tyler Rinehart, a mechanical engineering major from Sebring, Ohio, and juniors Kyle Mapel, a mechanical engineering major from Heath, Ohio, and Tyler Kauffman, a mechanical engineering major from Tiffin, Ohio, placed 16th overall.

The ONU No. 5 car, driven by seniors Max Adams, a mechanical engineering major from Cincinnati, Ohio, and Clayton Campbell, a civil engineering major from Newark, Ohio, and sophomores Will Rostorfer-Moucha, a manufacturing technology major from Jeffersonville, Ohio, and Austin Campbell, a mechanical engineering major from Newark, Ohio, finished 31st overall.

“We took 13 students who braved the colder weather for a lot of fun and team bonding. Midnight Mayhem is a great opportunity to get our cars out and have fun,” said Scott Cottle, ONU mechanical technician who served as adviser.

“If I could say one thing about our Polar Bear Racing team, it’s all about team work and dedication, and these students really enjoy what Baja is about. The regional races give teams a chance to try out new designs, components and modifications in a real race environment before the official SAE events in the spring. They are lower-stakes events where a team can bring multiple cars, and everyone gets a chance to drive and experience the thrill of racing.”