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 building a buggy from scratch. A year of team effort culminates in Raceday, the annual five-hill relay race during Carnival. Whatever role suits you best, we can’t wait to see you on the course!
Drivers
Are you 5'4" or shorter? Want to ride at over 35 mph just inches from the ground? Then driving is for you! Drivers lie inside the buggy, steering and braking to stay on the fastest racing line. It's a thrilling role that takes skill and practice to master, with the entire team working together to help you nagivate the course quickly and safely.
Pushers
Pushers are the runners of the buggy relay race, powering buggies in the uphill and flat sections of the course. They refine their pushing technique on each hill year-round and prove their speed, strength, and coordination on Raceday. Throughout the year, pushers also have fun and stay in shape with intramural sports and group workouts.
Mechanics
Mechanics (mechs) hold our team together, keeping our buggies up to spec and ready to roll. Becoming a mechanic requires no special skills or experiences other than a willingness to try new things! Apex designs and builds a new buggy every year, allowing new members to jump straight into hands-on work. 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, 2-ball soccer in the spring, and push captains 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.