At 14 years old, I designed and built a fully custom dune buggy–style go-kart, marking my first major independent engineering project. The design was developed entirely from scratch, starting with conceptual sketches and basic layout planning to determine component placement, suspension geometry, and driver ergonomics. I constructed a full roll cage chassis from steel tubing, which I cut, bent, and MIG-welded at home, ensuring both rigidity and safety. The kart was powered by a 16-horsepower engine, giving it an impressive power-to-weight ratio and the performance needed for off-road driving.

The front suspension featured a double wishbone design, which I engineered to provide controlled camber change and smooth travel over uneven terrain. The rear used a live axle supported by a pivoting cradle, allowing the entire engine and axle assembly to move with the suspension. This setup maintained chain tension through the full range of travel while improving traction and ride quality. Hydraulic disc brakes were integrated for reliable stopping power.

This project gave me my first experience combining mechanical design with hands-on fabrication, problem-solving, and iteration. Building a fully functional vehicle from raw materials and seeing it perform as intended sparked my passion for mechanical design and set the foundation for the engineering projects I pursue today.