Test Laps and Competition

By passing scrutineering yesterday, the U of M Solar Car team was free to hit the track and get a few test laps on the car.  So meanwhile we roamed the paddock, met some of the other teams, and learned about our competition's vehicles.  This update will feature all the cars from competing schools.

May 17, 2005

Comments:

 Brad Schulz
This is getting too easy for you guys. Maybe next time you should try passing scrutineering with one hand tied behind your backs!

There was a nice clip on KARE11 news this evening. Anchors said, "They always do pretty well..." Not a bad reputation to have.

Good job and good luck! Drive it like you stole it.

-Brad

Posted by: Brad Schulz | May 17, 2005 at 07:56 PM

 Adam
Good luck tomorrow!

Posted by: Adam | May 17, 2005 at 08:37 PM

 Mom Hrpcek
Good luck U of MN -- you've got fans in Wisconsin cheering for you.

Posted by: Mom Hrpcek | May 17, 2005 at 09:18 PM

 Mike and Jane Blee
Good luck tomorrow U of M! The car and your team look great.... Will Blee's Family

Posted by: Mike and Jane Blee | May 17, 2005 at 09:53 PM

 Alex Detrick
Good luck guys! I'm sure you'll do great.

Drive really fast!!!!!!

Posted by: Alex Detrick | May 17, 2005 at 10:37 PM

 Aaron Westman
Thanks for the encouragement everyone. We are all just about ready to pass out in our tents at this point. We look forward to seeing more comments in the morning!

Posted by: Aaron Westman | May 17, 2005 at 10:43 PM

 Travis Lee
I'm glad to see things are going smoothly thus far. Race well and keep the array in good shape, I'm tired of crimping solar cells =).

Posted by: Travis Lee | May 18, 2005 at 02:14 AM

 Alain
Great job everyone. My wife and I (SunCat Solar) wish you all the best.

Posted by: Alain | May 18, 2005 at 06:39 AM

 Jerry J. Wang
Good Luck with you guys.

Posted by: Jerry J. Wang | May 18, 2005 at 08:28 AM

 Lorin & Terri Westman
We love the pictures. Good luck today. Who will be checking the latches on the solar car?

Posted by: Lorin & Terri Westman | May 18, 2005 at 11:02 AM

 Kathy
Good luck to Will & his teammates!! Eeryone's 'rooting' for you...even extended family like us down here in Iowa!

Posted by: Kathy | May 18, 2005 at 12:07 PM

 Kathy
Hmmmm.... Not sure how I did it, but my comment got posted to someone else! Oh well, here it is again!!

Good luck to Will & his teammates!! Eeryone's 'rooting' for you...even extended family like us down here in Iowa!

Posted by: Kathy | May 18, 2005 at 12:09 PM

 Brad Schulz
First results posted on the Formula Sun site....Minnesota is leading with 85 laps, followed by closely Auburn(stock class @ 81 laps) and a number of other stock teams. NONE of the other open teams seem to have posted lap times on day one! Amazing. Its so odd, I wonder if the results are correct????

-Brad

Posted by: Brad Schulz | May 18, 2005 at 03:41 PM

 Adam
End of race day 1: U of MN in first with 121 laps (254.1 miles), Auburn in 2nd with 117 and Iowa State in 3rd with 113. (Both of these teams are Stock Class) No Open Class cars other than B3 had more than 10 laps.

All of B3's laps were qualifying (>25mph average)
Great Job!

Posted by: Adam | May 18, 2005 at 06:25 PM

 Jason
In the famous words of sports legend Harey Carey, "Holy Cow!" What a great first day team. Keep up the great work, stay sharp, eat lots of butter and mayo, and shower when you can for your teammates' sake. I hope to see a first place finish when I check back next week. Go for the pole!

Posted by: Jason | May 18, 2005 at 06:43 PM

 Brad Schulz
On a sad note, the collegiate engineering racing community has suffered a tragedy. Members of the Mankato State Formula SAE team, on their way to a race in Ohio were involved in a motor vehicle accident killing three students.

See the news story: http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5409206.html

MSU has set up a site to accept condolences: http://www.mnsu.edu/accident/messages.html

To the UMNSVP team: Be safe. Drive home carefully.

-Brad

Posted by: Brad Schulz | May 18, 2005 at 06:52 PM

 Mom
... and wear your seatbelts at all times and stay awake with the drivers of the vans. We love you way too much!

Posted by: Mom | May 18, 2005 at 07:58 PM

 Brad Schulz
We're all curious....Did the stock teams burn batteries, or did we have to hold back a bit for some reason? First race gremlins? Laps looked consistent for the top two....~15/hour=>~31.5 mph average. Stock teams should have a good amount less power available unless we're missing something.

Still, can't complain about #1. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Brad Schulz | May 18, 2005 at 08:35 PM

 Ellie's mom
Missed the KARE-11 story and couldn't find anything on their site. If any parents out there taped it, we'd love a copy.

Sounds like good karma when storms roll in after battery charging sessions. Also sounds like you're all doing your part to keep a win within reach through great teamwork--keep it up. The photos are fabulous, too. How's the sunscreen supply?

Posted by: Ellie's mom | May 19, 2005 at 07:21 AM