Get Involved

Equal parts sport and engineering challenge, buggy is one of CMU’s most prominent and long standing traditions. There’s a role for everyone, whether as a pusher sprinting up one of the course hills, a driver speeding around the chute turn, or a mechanic designing and building a buggy from scratch. A year of team effort culminates in Raceday, the annual competition of the five-hill relay around campus. Whatever role suits you best, we can’t wait to see you on the course!

Drivers

Are you 5'4" or shorter? Do you want to ride at over 35 mph while inches from the ground? Then driving is for you! Driving is a fun and thrilling experience. With controls over the steering and the brake, it is up to the drivers to keep the buggy on the fastest path. Drivers lie inside buggies and steer them through the course. They practice throughout the year to navigate the course as efficiently as possible.

Pushers

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. On Raceday, their skills and strength make the biggest difference in how fast we race; it requires a surprising mix of speed, strength, and coordination! Throughout the year, pushers also have fun and stay in shape by playing intramural sports and doing group workouts (alongside non-pushers).

Mechanics

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. Becoming a mechanic requires no special skills or experiences other than a willingness to try new things! You can find us either at shop hours building and fixing the buggies or at rolls preparing for Raceday. Reach out or drop by shop hours to learn more!

Behind the Scenes + Fun Stuff

While there are three traditional roles in buggy (mechanics, pushers, and drivers), there are many other ways for you to get involved! We’re always in need of flaggers (people who stand near the chute with a flag and an epic view), extra hands at bales, and you’re always welcome to just come to social events.

Bales

Bales help ensure the safety of drivers around the Monument and in the Chute, and Apex is usually assigned to put hay bales in place before weekend rolls. It's really fun, so be there or be square!

IMs + Workouts

IMs (intramural sports) are a fun way to stay active with us outside of shop hours and rolls! We play soccer and ultimate frisbee in the fall, and 2-ball soccer in the spring, and push captains will also host group workouts throughout the year to help pushers stay in shape.

Flagging

Flaggers, usually mechanics assigned to the role for a day of rolls, are stationed near "the Chute" to help drivers navigate the turn where buggies reach their maximum speed.