In 1976, WPI students competed in the first Mini Baja East competition. Although the car was built by an MQP team, the groundwork was set for future MQPs and the formation of the team a decade later.
The 1976 competition itself required the ten participating teams to create a buggy that could operate in most off-road conditions including sand and water up to a foot deep. Other restrictions were as follows:
Cost: Less than $450
Weight: Less than 400 lbs
Capacity: 6’3″ Adult weighing up to 250 lbs
Engine: Unmodified Briggs & Stratton 8 hp, 4-cycle horizontal shaft air cooled engine
More information about the early Mini Baja East competition can be found here.