Badger Burnouts

Badger Burnouts is a high-performance electric race car designed for the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, a 12.42-mile course characterized by significant elevation change and numerous tight turns. The vehicle was developed to achieve at least 19.7 ft/s² acceleration, 1–1.3 g of lateral acceleration, and more than 300 lb-ft of motor torque while complying with competition requirements for the roll cage and operating environment. The team selected a four-wheel-drive, four-motor electric powertrain with double-wishbone suspension and an aerodynamic package combining Venturi tunnels with active aerodynamics. The powertrain was sized around the acceleration target, resulting in a combined maximum torque of approximately 1,534 lb-ft and a 249 kW power requirement, while the battery system uses 664 high-power lithium-ion pouch cells. Structural analyses were performed on the roll cage, seat bracket, motor mounts, and battery enclosure, while thermal modeling established a substantial cooling requirement for the battery system. The active rear wing uses a NACA 6412 airfoil and changes its angle of attack for straight-line, braking, and cornering conditions to balance downforce and drag. The final concept weighs approximately 2,218 lb and targets 400 lb of downforce, combining electric propulsion, lightweight structures, and active aerodynamic control for competitive hill-climb performance.