Buggy (also called Sweepstakes) is a uniquely CMU activity that mixes engineering, design, and athleticism. Students build unmotorized vehicles (buggies) which are driven through a 0.84-mile course, powered by athletes who push it in a relay race.
Below is a video of a buggy race (starts at 1:52)
There are three basic roles on a buggy team, but many people are involved in more than one. There are no special skills required to get involved in any of the roles and also no obligation to stay tied to a specific responsibility. We encourage all Apex members to try many things while on our team!
Pushers are the runners of the buggy relay race. They give buggies their power in the uphill and flat portions of the buggy course. During practices, they refine their pushing technique to maximize speed on each of the five hills, and on Raceday, their skills make the biggest difference in how fast we race. Throughout the year, pushers also have fun and stay in shape by playing intramural sports and doing group workouts (alongside non-pushers)!
Mechanics are the glue that holds buggy teams together. They are the ones who keep existing buggies up to spec and ready for every practice, allowing us to race quickly and safely. Apex mechanics also design and build a new buggy every year, allowing them to do a lot of hands-on work. Although they work with many complex processes, becoming a mechanic requires no special skills or experiences other than a willingness to try new things!
Drivers lie inside buggies and steer them through the course. Like pushers, they practice throughout the year to navigate the course as efficiently as possible. Because they must fit inside a buggy, most drivers are relatively small individuals. They get the rare and thrilling experience of traveling at speeds of up to 37 mph while lying just inches above the road!
Support members may not fit into any of the three main roles of buggy, but they're invaluable to the functioning of our team. One major responsibility of support members is operating the flags which provide crucial information to drivers throughout the course. Support members can also be found timing our buggies and pushers as they practice, helping with chores, and organizing social events for the team.
We know that every buggy org on campus thinks they're the best. However, these are a few things that we feel make us special:
Our shop hours are open to all (including members of other buggy teams) because we want to share our love of buggy with everyone. Whether you have extensive experience with composites or have never heard the word "epoxy" before, you're welcome in our shop! We're happy to teach you everything you need to know!
There is no minimum time commitment to join Apex. We respect our members' responsibilities outside of buggy, so other than a few Raceday-related events in the spring, nothing is mandatory. You can be as involved as little or as much as you want to be (so if waking up at 4 am isn't your thing, you don't have to!). We also welcome new members throughout the year, not just at the beginning of the semester.
Above all, we're in Apex because we like it! In addition to doing all things buggy, Apex also organizes regular social events for everyone to enjoy. These include movie and game nights, Late Nights at local restaurants in Pittsburgh, group study sessions, and the occasional team party.
Stop by one of our recruitment events during the first two weeks of classes, or drop into a social event or shop hours! You can also reach out to us through Instagram or email (links on our contact page), or join us on TartanConnect!
