Buggin’ Out: CMU students race self-made buggies in Oakland

Flagstaff Hill became a high-speed racetrack this weekend thanks to Carnegie Mellon University’s student engineers, mechanics, designers, and athletes.

On April 8, students, parents, alumni, and locals cheered on runners during CMU's 100th Sweepstakes, a student-led buggy relay race around Flagstaff Hill in Oakland. The buggies — student-made, aerodynamic vehicles — raced around an almost-mile long track as students inside them steered around curves at dizzying speeds.

The event is a traditional part of the Pittsburgh university’s Spring Carnival dating back to 1920. Friday’s races were part of a set of preliminary races; final races were held the morning of April 9. Ten teams competed in women’s and men’s races, with runners pushing the buggies up and down hills, as well as letting them freely roll for a portion of the race.