FSAE West 2009
FSAE California Day 4 -- Endurance
After a long evening of hard work for the UW FSAE team replacing the engine and sprocket on their 2009 competition car, the team was prepared for endurance early in the morning.
In the endurance event, the car performed extremely well, passing many other top contenders on course. Unfortunately, during the second half of the event, after the driver change, the car experienced a drivetrain failure that forced the car to retire from the event.
Even with a DNF in the endurance event, the team placed 17th overall and showed the true power of the 2009 UW car.
FSAE California Day 3 -- Skidpad, Acceleration, Autocross
In a day of mixed successes, the UW FSAE team competed in three dynamic events on Friday, placing very consistently in all of the categories. The success, however, was met with many difficulties. After discovering a failed sprocket center, the team was able to get the car out well in time for autocross. In the final single lap run of autocross, the transmission bound up. This forced the team to quickly complete a full engine-swap in less than three hours in order to prepare for endurance tomorrow.
The results from the day are as follows:
5th place Autocross
8th place Skidpad
22nd place Acceleration
4th in Design
FSAE California Day 2 -- Presentation Events, Finish Tech Inspection
After a successful first day, the UW FSAE team stunned the competition by finishing all technical inspection events before the design presentation, well ahead of all other teams. After filling the fuel tank with competition fuel, the team headed to the tilt test, where the car's center of gravity was put to the test. After this the car quickly passed through the noise and brake tests without a problem.
In the design tent, the team did very well explaining the most important design aspects of the 2009 car. By the end of the day, the team moved on to design semi-finals, where the judges asked much more detailed questions regarding the specifics of the 2009 car design. The tech leads fielded the questions very well.
In the business presentation, Ryan Trickett and Jeff Dickson presented the "What can purple do for you?" campaign, proving that the 2009 UW FSAE car would be a marketable and profitable business venture. The judges were thrilled with the concept, and only offered up a few questions.
During the later afternoon, the team headed to the cost presentation, where members described cost-cutting scenarios and explained the overall cost justification for the car. Although the event was vastly different from that at the Michigan competition, the team was able to answer the judges questions with ease, and received very high marks in the overall professionalism and organization of the cost report.
In between the four presentation events throughout the day the team was able to take the car to the testing track multiple times, performing a quick shake-down of all the components, and giving the drivers a chance to get settled in.
Tomorrow, the team will be competing in the acceleration, skid-pad, and autocross events. With the continued hard work of all of the team members, the team hopes to add to the successes of today!
Don't forget to check out the UW FSAE teams twitter account for up to the minute updates. www.twitter.com/uwFSAE
FSAE California Day 1 -- Tech Inspection, Weigh In
Today, after setting up our paddock space and trailer, the team was first in line for the technical inspection. This is where the judges check over the entire car to make sure all rules and regulations are met. The team passed, making only a few small changes to the car. After the technical inspection, the car went on to be weighed in. At the scales, the car weighed only 477 pounds, down from 492 at the Michigan competition. After a quick captain's meeting, the team packed up for the day, ready to advance on to the tilt, brake, and noise tests tomorrow, after which the car will be fully certified to compete in the dynamic events at the competition. Additionally, the team will be competing in the design, cost, and business presentation categories tomorrow. To get immediate updates on the team's progress, be sure to check out our twitter at: www.twitter.com/uwFSAE Picture of the Day
