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Postgraduate DiplomaRestoration & Classics Applications open

Diploma in Mechanical Preparation for the Baja 1000

Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in mechanical preparation of vehicles for the Baja 1000. 8 modules covering desert chassis and structures, long-travel suspension, engine reliability and cooling, driveline and brakes, safety and auxiliary systems, and race support strategy, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration6–8 months
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the format and demands of Baja races.

02

Prepare chassis and structures for the desert.

03

Set up long-travel suspension.

04

Ensure engine and cooling reliability.

05

Prepare the transmission, brakes and wheels.

06

Integrate auxiliary and safety systems.

07

Plan race support and strategy.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Desert vehicle preparers.
  • Off-road race mechanics.
  • Suspension engineers.
  • Support crew chiefs.
  • Desert racing drivers.
  • Chassis fabrication technicians.
  • Engineering or science graduates seeking a career in off-road racing.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • SCORE International Rulebook (technical and sporting rules for Baja races)
  • FIA Appendix J, Article 283 (safety requirements for cross-country vehicles)
  • SFI 28.1 (polymer foam fuel cells)
  • SFI 16.1 (driver restraint assemblies)
  • SFI 38.1 (head and neck restraint systems)
  • EN ISO 3834-2 (comprehensive quality requirements for fusion welding)
  • SolidWorks
  • AiM Race Studio 3
  • Garmin BaseCamp
Syllabus

8 modules

  1. 1.1History of racing in Baja California
  2. 1.2Event format
  3. 1.3Vehicle classes
  4. 1.4Terrain and conditions
  5. 1.5Mechanical demands
  6. 1.6Technical regulations
  7. 1.7Teams and budgets
  8. 1.8Desert logistics
  9. 1.9Main risks
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of retirements in one edition
  1. 2.1Desert tubular chassis
  2. 2.2Critical fatigue points
  3. 2.3Reinforcement and triangulation
  4. 2.4Underbody protection
  5. 2.5Safety structure
  6. 2.6Welding chromoly steel
  7. 2.7Crack inspection
  8. 2.8Emergency repairs
  9. 2.9Weight distribution
  10. 2.10Workshop: crack inspection on a desert chassis
  1. 3.1Extreme wheel travel
  2. 3.2Trailing arms
  3. 3.3Four-link solid axles
  4. 3.4Bypass shock absorbers
  5. 3.5Hydraulic bump stops
  6. 3.6Shock absorber cooling
  7. 3.7Springs and set-up
  8. 3.8Rod ends and bushes
  9. 3.9Maintenance during the race
  10. 3.10Practical: revalving a bypass shock absorber
  1. 4.1V8 and six-cylinder engines
  2. 4.2Reliability versus power
  3. 4.3Air filtration in dust
  4. 4.4Engine and transmission cooling
  5. 4.5Dry-sump lubrication
  6. 4.6Fuel systems
  7. 4.7Engine management
  8. 4.8Critical spares
  9. 4.9Diagnosis on the course
  10. 4.10Laboratory: air filtration test
  1. 5.1Reinforced automatic gearboxes
  2. 5.2Sequential gearboxes
  3. 5.3Axle shafts and CV joints
  4. 5.4Differentials
  5. 5.5Brakes for the desert
  6. 5.6Brake cooling
  7. 5.7Wheels and beadlock rims
  8. 5.8Desert tyres
  9. 5.9Quick component changes
  10. 5.10Practical: timed CV joint change
  1. 6.1Seats and harnesses
  2. 6.2Fire extinguishers
  3. 6.3Fuel cells
  4. 6.4Night lighting
  5. 6.5Radio communications
  6. 6.6GPS navigation
  7. 6.7Water and survival
  8. 6.8On-board tools
  9. 6.9Vehicle recovery systems
  10. 6.10Case study: survival equipment
  1. 7.1Pit and service points
  2. 7.2Chase teams
  3. 7.3Spares plan
  4. 7.4Driver changes
  5. 7.5Time management
  6. 7.6Emergency repairs
  7. 7.7Team communication
  8. 7.8Safety of support crews
  9. 7.9Post-race analysis
  10. 7.10Workshop: race support plan
  1. 8.1Choice of class and vehicle
  2. 8.2Course analysis
  3. 8.3Preparation plan
  4. 8.4Chassis and suspension
  5. 8.5Powertrain
  6. 8.6Auxiliary systems
  7. 8.7Support plan
  8. 8.8Technical dossier
  9. 8.9Report and presentation
  10. 8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

Training is 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine the programme with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulations and applied exercises. The working software is SolidWorks, AiM Race Studio 3 and Garmin BaseCamp, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures for revalving and testing bypass shock absorbers, crack inspection after an event and a simulated on-course support operation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.

Standards covered: SCORE International Rulebook, FIA Appendix J, Article 283, SFI 28.1, SFI 16.1, SFI 38.1, EN ISO 3834-2.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of the SCORE International Rulebook, FIA Appendix J Article 283 and SFI 28.1 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:SolidWorks, AiM Race Studio 3 and Garmin BaseCamp, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Final project:Complete mechanical preparation and support plan for a vehicle entering the Baja 1000, reviewed by your tutor.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Class and course analysis
Choose the class and vehicle and analyse the demands of the course.
Chassis and suspension
Inspect and reinforce the chassis and set up the long-travel suspension.
Powertrain preparation
Prepare engine, cooling, filtration, transmission and brakes for the desert.
Safety and support plan
Integrate safety systems and design the spares, chase and service plan.
Final project
Technical dossier for the complete Baja preparation, reviewed by your tutor.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Desert vehicle preparerOff-road race mechanicSuspension engineerSupport crew chiefDesert racing driverChassis fabrication technician
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with SolidWorks, AiM Race Studio 3 and Garmin BaseCamp, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), plus English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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