Momentum - February 2019 - 19

CAREER PATH

At front right, Mario celebrated the teams' victory in the Endurance Event (and 8th
place overall) at Baja SAE Illinois 2017.
flawless pit stops, and a consistent pace, we were finally able to put
SDSU on top of the podium. So, to be able to pull that off at my last
chance at it, was very emotional and the best way to end my Baja SAE
"career."
What is the most interesting activity you are engaged in at the
moment?
After graduating college I went to Fremont, Calif., to work at the
Tesla Factory as an associate process engineer for the body-in-white
dimensional team. There, I was involved in the build quality of the
closures and their fit accuracy and repeatability to the body. I have
since departed Tesla and am now pursuing a position as an engineer for
Robby Gordon Motorsports in Charlotte, NC, which is a very hands-on
position where we have our own line of aftermarket UTV products for
the Textron Arctic Cat Wildcat XX. As an engineer here, I am involved in
all of Robby Gordon's projects, which include the Stadium Super Trucks
(SST) as well as his desert racing and Dakar programs.
Who has been particularly helpful or inspirational to you?
Let me mention two: Max Krommenhoek and Joey Gonzalez. Max was
the one that brought Baja SAE back to SDSU in 2010 when he and
three other classmates did their senior project. Baja SAE was only a
senior project where students would engineer and build a car and then
graduate, with no pass-down from 2010-2012. Joey was the only one
on the 2012 team that was not a senior when I came to SDSU my first
year of college in the fall of 2012. Joey and I gathered a couple more
members and ended up becoming a recognized organization on SDSU's
campus in 2013. Without these two, there most likely would not have
been a Baja SAE team at SDSU. Also, Max got me involved with Mark
McMillin of McMillin Racing and that has helped me open numerous
doors in my racing/engineering career.
MOMENTUM

Mario Gutierrez (left) and Mark McNeil (right) sitting on top of
their class 5 unlimited baja bug after winning the 2018 San Felipe
250. "My life has always revolved around desert racing, and I am
fortunate to have been involved with some of the top teams over
the years. I'm currently racing SCORE with Mark McNeil in a class 5
Unlimited buggy and will potentially be racing a 6100 Trophy Truck
Spec in the 2019 season," Mario told MOMENTUM.

For how long have you been involved with SAE?
I believe it was my second week of classes as a freshmen
at SDSU when I found out about the Formula SAE racing
team on campus, Aztec Racing. I did some research and
ended up finding a video on Baja SAE. My eyes lit up
and I looked everywhere to see if SDSU had a Baja team.
That's when I got in contact with Joey Gonzalez. The
next five years of my life were 110% committed to Aztec
Baja SAE. I helped turn a small team of five that built a
car off campus to an all-out engineering organization
that has now over 35 committed members. Baja SAE
changed my life, and I hope other student engineers can
get the same experience I got out of it.
Why did you decide to continue your SAE membership
beyond college?
Well the SAE representatives made it so easy by tabling
at the entrance to the registration tent at all of the Baja
SAE competitions, so it was a no-brainer. The perks that
SAE gives its members are second to none, and the
networking opportunities are endless.
Any other thoughts?
One thing that I have learned throughout this whole
experience with SAE and life in general is that it's not
what you know, it's not who you know, but it's about who
knows you. The relationships you build in this industry
have a big impact on your career. So if I were to give one
bit of advice, it would be to network as much as possible.
Introduce yourself to everyone and leave a first impression
that those meeting you will be sure to remember.

February 2019 19



Momentum - February 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Momentum - February 2019

Momentum - February 2019
Contents
Go all in with your student membership
Briefs
Battling the elements
‘Hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck’
Shootout in Canada
How to lead a team
Plan, prepare, and succeed
‘The Eagle has landed’
SAE Detroit Section helps teams prep for Formula SAE season
SAE 101: Organically developed member groups considered for new organization model
DOSSIER: Mario Gutierrez of Robby Gordon Motorsports
Tips for navigating through the entry-level position
New SAE technical paper competition launches
Momentum - February 2019 - Momentum - February 2019
Momentum - February 2019 - Cover2
Momentum - February 2019 - Contents
Momentum - February 2019 - Go all in with your student membership
Momentum - February 2019 - Briefs
Momentum - February 2019 - Battling the elements
Momentum - February 2019 - 5
Momentum - February 2019 - 6
Momentum - February 2019 - 7
Momentum - February 2019 - ‘Hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck’
Momentum - February 2019 - 9
Momentum - February 2019 - 10
Momentum - February 2019 - Shootout in Canada
Momentum - February 2019 - How to lead a team
Momentum - February 2019 - 13
Momentum - February 2019 - Plan, prepare, and succeed
Momentum - February 2019 - ‘The Eagle has landed’
Momentum - February 2019 - SAE Detroit Section helps teams prep for Formula SAE season
Momentum - February 2019 - SAE 101: Organically developed member groups considered for new organization model
Momentum - February 2019 - DOSSIER: Mario Gutierrez of Robby Gordon Motorsports
Momentum - February 2019 - 19
Momentum - February 2019 - New SAE technical paper competition launches
Momentum - February 2019 - Cover3
Momentum - February 2019 - Cover4
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