All Green to Go
Principia Solar Car Team
Howdy solar enthusiasts!
Today we officially qualified for Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP 2015)! Yesterday, we passed scrutineering stations (mechanical, electrical, BPS, body & sizing, driver, and array) with no problems. We began dynamic testing yesterday afternoon with 3 drivers needing to pass. I did the U-turn and the figure-8, then attempted slalom but did not meet the timing requirement. (Well, I did meet the timing on my final run, but a strong gust of wind blew open our outside left ferring, hitting the cone.) Tamara switched in to attempt the slalom and wet braking tests. She passed slalom on the first try and then proceeded to the braking test. After several rounds of wet braking, she successfully stopped within the required time (3 sec at 30mph) twice and passed.
This morning, I got in the car at 8am and the team headed back out to dynamics as I still needed to pass slalom and wet braking. Slalom went well (passing on my first try!), but wet braking proved to be quite a challenge. After several attempts, we took a break, changed our strategy and then went back out. Finally, (after more attempts than I should mention) I was able to pass and the team was officially qualified. (For those interested in engineering details, we lowered our tire pressure to improve braking - and practice makes perfect.)
For the rest of the afternoon, we will be helping out other teams and will have the opportunity to do a preview drive of the track in our van. Tomorrow at 10am the track race will begin with Ra 7s starting in 7th position.
Thank you so much for all your support of the team and be sure to follow us closely the next three days!
Until tomorrow,
Annika