When Cal Poly’s Baja car crosses the finish line, team lead Matthew Shaffer doesn’t just celebrate — he flips. Literally.
A former gymnast, Shaffer has made it a tradition to cap off each Baja SAE competition with a backflip from the roll cage of the off-road vehicle he and his team built from the ground up. It’s a moment of joy, adrenaline and achievement — capturing the energy that drives Cal Poly Racing’s Baja team.
As the team gears up for its 53rd season, Shaffer is preparing for more than just another flip. With two national competitions on the horizon — starting May 1 in Arizona and followed by a sentimental return to Maryland in June — the mechanical engineering senior is focused on pushing both the car and the culture forward.
“Without culture, nothing matters,” Shaffer said. “We spend so many late nights together in the shop. It’s important that every member feels welcome and supported. That’s when the best work happens.”
Under Shaffer’s leadership, the team has shaved 20 pounds off its custom-built vehicle and fostered a collaborative environment that boasts nearly equal numbers of male and female members — something rare in off-road racing circles. While the team has its sights set on a top-three national finish this year, Shaffer sees the true victory in how the group has evolved.
“I didn’t know anything when I joined Cal Poly Racing,” he said. “But I had incredible people who showed me that you don’t have to know everything. You just have to show up, be willing to learn and be part of the team.”
Cal Poly Racing’s Baja team is ready to put its latest vehicle — and months of preparation — to the test on two of the sport’s most challenging courses, including a track that feels like home turf for Shaffer.
Baja SAE, sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers, challenges students to design, build and race a single-seat vehicle capable of conquering rough terrain and endurance trials. Teams from around the world face a series of dynamic events that test acceleration, maneuverability, suspension and traction before lining up for a grueling four-hour endurance race that pushes both driver and machine to their limits.
For Shaffer, the second competition at Budds Creek Motocross Park is more than just another race. Growing up near Mechanicsville, he once stood alongside the track as a kid, cheering on his uncle and brother as they rode the same dirt course. This time, he’ll be behind the wheel of a vehicle he helped design and build.
“It’s definitely going to be nostalgic,” Shaffer said. “I grew up watching races there, and now I get to drive it with my family cheering me on. It feels like coming full circle.”
It’s one meaningful stop in a season where Shaffer and his team aim to show how far they’ve come.
Cal Poly Baja will bring 58 members to its first competition in Marana, Arizona, including nearly 20 first-time participants getting their first taste of race day.
A few years ago, Shaffer hadn’t planned on leading a racing team — or even attending Cal Poly. Set on a military career, he was headed to the Air Force Academy before a hearing test requirement redirected his plans. With less than two weeks to choose a new path, he landed at Cal Poly, where joining Racing transformed uncertainty into passion and set him on a course toward his future career.
Now, guiding the team through competition gives him the chance to spark that same sense of purpose in others.
As the first to lead Cal Poly Baja for two consecutive years, Shaffer has focused on creating an environment where newcomers feel empowered to make their mark, just as he once did.
“At the end of the day, it’s not just about engineering; it’s about creating a place where people want to show up,” Shaffer said. “When members feel supported, they push themselves, they grow, and they actually enjoy the process.”
That culture thrives in the machine shops. With 60 active members and nearly 30 leads, Cal Poly Baja brings together students from across engineering disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, computer and materials engineering. The team completes 95% of its vehicle fabrication in-house — handling everything from metalwork and composite layups to CNC machining and 3D printing. Every component, aside from the standardized engine, is shaped by student hands.
Testing runs take place on dirt trails like those at Cuesta College, where the team fine-tunes performance, practices pit stops and prepares for endurance challenges such as mid-race driver swaps. A recent mock competition helped troubleshoot issues and sharpen communication, ensuring the team is ready for whatever race day brings.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve, whether it’s the car, logistics or how we work together,” Shaffer said.
That approach extends beyond graduation. After an internship with electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian — an opportunity Shaffer credits to his involvement in Cal Poly Racing — he’ll return this summer to join the test and development team, focusing on vehicle development and diagnostics for prototypes.
He has no plans to leave Baja behind.
“There’s an amazing alumni network, and I definitely want to stay involved,” he said. “This team has given me so much. I want to give back.”
With two competitions ahead and a team fueled by innovation and camaraderie, Cal Poly Baja isn’t just racing for a podium finish. It’s driving a culture where every member, new or experienced, has a place to thrive.
By Emily Slater
During Cal Poly’s Open House, Baja team members walk visitors through the engineering behind their 2025 vehicle at the official unveiling.
