Members of TCNJ Mini BAJA 2011

Robert Allsop
Captain / Transmission Designer
Rachel Werner
Manager / Flotation Designer
David Casas
Frame Designer
Peter Goldsmith
Rear Suspension Designer
Shawn Kircher
Front Suspension Designer
Michael Bauer
Web Master

 

Since Robert Allsop was a child, he had a love for cars; whether he was working on Corvettes with his Father, watching Nascar on Sunday afternoons, or tearing apart his newly bought Firebird and making it faster before he even had a license to drive, his enthusiasm was clearly evident. Over the past four years, Robert’s love for making things faster, lighter and stronger has cumulated into a passion for engineering. Today, Robert Allsop is a senior Mechanical Engineer at The College of New Jersey. From Hamilton, NJ, Robert is currently both the President of the Society of Automotive Engineers as well as the Captain of the 2010-2011 Baja Team, and previously the President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers at the college. Utilizing his strong background in engineering design and fabrication, along with his leadership skills, he hopes to help guide his team to a first place finish in Alabama. Upon graduation, Robert is determined to obtain a challenging job in industry where he can also obtain an advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering as well as an MBA.

Rachael Werner ,also known as “the girl” of the team, is a senior Mechanical Engineer from Branchburg, NJ and is the manager of the 2011 team, as well as the floatation and propulsion designer. During her 4 years here at TCNJ, she has been a member of the Society of Women Engineers and the Society of Automotive Engineers, where she holds the treasurer position. Rachael plans to obtain a job in Mechanical Engineering upon graduation.

David Casas is a senior Mechanical Engineer at The College of New Jersey and was born August 16, 1989 in Elizabeth, NJ. He attended TCNJ all four years of his college career and plans to graduate May 2011. David assisted with the TCNJ 2010 Mini-Baja car, and plans to utilize his knowledge and expertise this year as the 2011 lead frame engineer. Within his time at the college, he served as vice president of the TCNJ chapter of Society of Automotive engineers, participated in multiple engineering competitions, and has been on the deans’ list several times. David worked as an intern at Picatinny Arsenal the past two summers and plans on working as a full time employee as a mechanical engineer at the base located near Dover, NJ.
Peter Goldsmith first found his love and affiliation with auto mechanics when he convinced his father to drive a Jeep Cherokee as his first car. He became involved with common maintenance and then began to customize his vehicle. He chose engineering as his major because it pertained to his love and interest in solid mechanics in high school. Pete is also a member of the Varsity Swim team at TCNJ where he received 9 All-Conference awards. After graduation Peter would like to have a job in the field of Mechanical Engineering and he also looks forward to taking a breath of fresh air after the completion of the rigorous undergraduate degree in engineering.

Shawn Kircher is currently a senior Mechanical Engineering major at The College of New Jersey. He is a captain of the men’s varsity swimming team and is also a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. Throughout his career in swimming he has 11 All-American citations, 4 school records, and has been an All-Academic athlete twice. His other hobbies include surfing and skating. During the summers of 2009 and 2010 he interned for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Lakehurst, NJ for Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Department as well was the Systems Standardization Department. Shawn, also known as ‘Hasselhoff’, has also worked as a beach lifeguard for Lavallette and Normandy Beach Patrols saving lives and being a hero. Some of his other interests include flexing, mirrors, new haircuts, moustaches, chopping wood, opening umbrellas, and kittens.