At Kenesto, we take pride in supporting the next generation of engineers, and our partnership with Terps Racing Baja is a perfect example of this commitment. The team has been collaborating with Kenesto since February 2022, leveraging our cloud-based file management system to streamline their design processes and enhance their efficiency.
Terps Racing Baja is a student-led team at the University of Maryland dedicated to designing, constructing, and racing fully custom off-road vehicles. Competing against over 100 of the top engineering schools in North America, the team’s mission 
is to design, construct, and race (all done entirely by students) a fully custom off-road racecar, equipping its members with practical engineering tools and experience that transcend the classroom.
“Kenesto is all I have ever known in my time on the team, and in fact, this team is where I first encountered it – and I’m glad I did!” says Joseph Coggins, Chief Engineer of Terps Racing Baja.
Revolutionizing Team Collaboration with Kenesto
Kenesto’s cloud-based file management system has become an integral part of Terps Racing Baja’s workflow, transforming the way the team collaborates. Joseph highlights, “Kenesto allows instantaneous team-wide sharing of any and all files needed to design our car – any team member can have a full 3D model of our powertrain open in a matter of seconds, ready to use, no ‘hey, could you send me this part file?’ or ‘is this up-to-date?’ emails necessary.”
In prior years, the team’s sister team, Terps Racing Formula, relied on Google Drive and a centralized file management system, which caused inefficiencies. Kenesto’s virtual drive eliminates these issues. “Kenesto’s virtual drive system means there’s no part files cluttering up my hard drive, and no long downloads to wait for before I can view a file. It really is like everyone is using the same computer, and it’s easy to take for granted how helpful that is,” Joseph adds.
Supporting Excellence in Competition
Terps Racing Baja competes in one to two competitions annually, each bringing together 80-120 collegiate teams from across the country. These competitions are a rigorous test of engineering, design, and performance, culminating in a four-hour endurance race on a challenging dirt track. In their most recent competitions, the team placed 16th and 22nd overall at Baja SAE Williamsport and Baja SAE Michigan, respectively. Looking ahead to Baja SAE Maryland and Baja SAE Carolina, the team is determined to achieve even greater success.
Kenesto has played a pivotal role in enabling seamless design improvements across the team’s vehicles over the years. As Joseph notes, “Building a racecar is a lot to manage, and it’s nice to have one less thing to worry about. Once Kenesto is installed and running, you don’t have to think twice about accessing the files you need.”
Tools and Workflow
The team uses SolidWorks for vehicle CAD and finite element analysis (FEA), leveraging Kenesto to store part, drawing, and assembly files, as well as FEA simulations. Additionally, the system is used to manage G-code files for manufacturing complex components on their CNC 3-axis mill. Kenesto’s intuitive file storage and sharing capabilities ensure that every team member has access to the resources they need without delay or complication.
Passing the Torch with Kenesto
One of the unique aspects of Terps Racing Baja is its student-driven nature, with team members passing down knowledge and tools to successive cohorts. While earlier team members transitioned from Google Drive to Kenesto, Joseph and his peers have only known Kenesto during their tenure. “Because of the nature of student teams, the first members to use Kenesto on our team have since graduated, and the tradition has been passed down to newer members,” Joseph explains.
Looking Ahead
As Terps Racing Baja gears up for another exciting year of competition, we’re thrilled to continue our partnership and support the team’s mission to inspire and train the next generation of engineers. We look forward to seeing the innovative designs and exceptional performances the team will achieve in the years to come
From everyone at Kenesto, we’re proud to play a role in your journey. Here’s to another year of pushing boundaries and breaking new ground, both on and off the track! 