LIVE From FSAE Lincoln: Thursday

Hello from Lincoln, Nebraska and the 2017 Formula SAE Lincoln competition. We're updating this page all day long - if you're just joining us, read from the bottom up! Live results are available at results.fsaeonline.com. Keep clicking refresh for the newest, um, news! 

 

 

 

4:30 PM: Another team let me sit in their car... and I found this! 3D printed steering wheel including the paddle shift mechanism. 

 

2:00 PM: In addition to all of the tech-based elements, teams must pitch their car to investors, proving its marketability. Here, the University of Kansas is pitching theirs as a spec SCCA Solo car. 

 

1:00 PM: Once all of the inspections and tests have been completed, you receive the coveted tech sticker.

Then, most teams will head to practice course for some test and tune time before tomorrow's dynamic events.

 

12:30 PM: Taking a look at some of the other evaluations this afternoon:

First, cars are placed on a tilt bed and raised to a 45° angle. No fluids can leak and all four tires must remain on the platform.

Next, a sound reading is taken from half a meter from the end of the tailpipe. At idle, they must be under 103 dB and at 3/4 throttle, they must be under 110 db.

 

11:00 AM: After shadowing a team of design judges for a while, they allowed your correspondent, who has a fair bit of driving experience, to sit in the cockpit and evaluate the driver controls and comfort of the car. It was interesting to switch from merely observing to start evaluating the designs these students have worked so hard on.

 

10:15 AM: The first session was interesting, so I'm going to stick around for another. Western Michigan University is up next.

 

10:00 AM: Shadowing the Design Judging of Auburn was fantastic. Below are some of the interesting things discussed.

Notes and data are necessary to justify every decision on the vehicle.

A judge sits in the car to evaluate the comfort elements, adjustability and driver dynamics.

An adjustable pedal box allows for adjustability between drivers.

A small splitter helps control the air along the cockpit that has come under the front aero.

 

9:00 AM: We've been placed with a design judging team for the judging of the Auburn University vehicle. More on that soon.