SVP Race Updates http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/ en Copyright 2009 Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:39:18 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.25 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Back Home Again The race crew returned to the shop this evening, exhausted but still excited about our victory. Most of our team had never raced a solar car before, and seeing Centaurus perform has fired them up even more about the project.

A big thank you to all of the teams who showed up, the spirit, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship that every displayed was amazing.

Keep an eye on our website in the coming months for updates and news about our next car!

-Adem Rudin
Crew Chief

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/back_home_again.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/back_home_again.html 2009 FSGP Sat, 06 Jun 2009 19:39:18 -0600 Adem Rudin http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/back_home_again.html#comments Victory Today, the University of Minnesota took home the gold at the 2009 Formula Sun Grand Prix with 487 total laps. The University of Kentucky finished in 2nd, followed by Northwestern. The spirit shown here by all of the teams was incredible, and we hope to show up again next year!

I apologize for the brief post, but we've been busy packing, and we've been informed that if we want to stay the night, we need to move our camp elsewhere on the grounds; we're just going to pack everthing and head home tonight.

-Adem Rudin
Crew Chief

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/victory.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/victory.html 2009 FSGP Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:35:10 -0600 Adem Rudin http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/victory.html#comments End of Race Day Two After our last post, the team encountered some minor electrical issues. Just before 3pm, the car encountered an issue with the power trackers requiring a short stop, and a few laps later, the motor controller began overheating. These two issues cost us about 40 minutes, but we were able to get the controller cooled down and the car back out on the track. We finished the rest of the day running slightly slower laps in order to keep stress off of the electrical system.

The second day of racing is over; we completed 152 laps today, bringing our total to 321. Our closest competitor is now University of Kentucky, who we believe are about 70 laps back. Kentucky is the model of "slow and steady", as although they are not as fast on the track as several other teams, they have spent well under an hour off the track over the past two days and just keep racking up the laps. Waterloo is in third behind them, and we believe that Northwestern is in fourth.

Both Iowa and CalSol made it out to the track for the first time today, although Iowa has been having issues with their motor, and CalSol only drove 24 laps before suffering a tire blowout right at the end of the day.

We've made some modifications to the ventilation systems in the rear of the car, and our battery is in a very comfortable state. We hope to drive a fast, clean last day tomorrow.

-Adem Rudin
Crew Chief

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/end_of_race_day_two.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/end_of_race_day_two.html 2009 FSGP Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:00:05 -0600 Adem Rudin http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/end_of_race_day_two.html#comments Race Day 2 The weather is nice, and we have photos!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/race_day_2.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/race_day_2.html 2009 FSGP Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:59:18 -0600 Adem Rudin http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/race_day_2.html#comments End of First Day Minnesota ended the first day of racing with 169 laps on the official count. All four drivers were able to get some time in the car, and all three of our tire changes went quickly and relatively smoothly. We were well in the lead, with an estimated 40 laps on our nearest competitors, Waterloo and Northwestern. However, both of them were running near or at our pace for much of the day; a single incident could easily place either or both of them ahead of us.

It's not over yet folks, we've got two more days to go!

It's time for us to pack up for the night, as we've got to wake up early and charge in the morning.

Remember to check out our twitter during the race day for more frequent updates!

- Adem Rudin
Crew Chief

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/end_of_first_day.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/end_of_first_day.html 2009 FSGP Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:43:22 -0600 Adem Rudin http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/end_of_first_day.html#comments Racing: Day 1.5 All systems go, running 3-4 minute laps with Northwestern and Waterloo hot on our trail. Waterloo flipped on its side and landed on its wheels - no injuries and some cosmetic and little array damage. They are now dynamic testing to get back on the track. Currently leading by 6 laps over Northwestern and 20 over Waterloo.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/racing_day_15.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/racing_day_15.html 2009 FSGP Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:06:31 -0600 Adem Rudin http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/racing_day_15.html#comments Racing: Day 1 Hey solar fans;

Day 1 of raycing is progressing well. Eight cars made it to the track today. Besides us, University of Kentucky, Illinois State, Northwestern, and UT Austin, SUNY, and Waterloo have all been on the track.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/racing_day_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/racing_day_1.html 2009 FSGP Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:54:04 -0600 Adem Rudin http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/racing_day_1.html#comments Updates/Internet All qualified and ready to go for raycing tomorrow morning!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/updatesinternet.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/updatesinternet.html 2009 FSGP Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:45:11 -0600 jaco0810 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/updatesinternet.html#comments Final Preparations Watchwords of the day were "keep cool, keep hydrated, keep out of trouble". With the car all finished with inspection, many team members were under the impression that there wouldn't be much to do today...

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/final_preparations_1.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/final_preparations_1.html 2009 FSGP Tue, 02 Jun 2009 22:21:40 -0600 Adem Rudin http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/final_preparations_1.html#comments Texas Weather Thunderstorms roll through the area, more rain predicted...

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/texas_weather.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/texas_weather.html 2009 FSGP Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:31:46 -0600 Adem Rudin http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/texas_weather.html#comments Through Scrutineering Minnesota is now fully inspected, we also have set up a Twitter!

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/through_scrutineering.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/through_scrutineering.html 2009 FSGP Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:09:30 -0600 Adem Rudin http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/06/through_scrutineering.html#comments At the Rayce We are at the Rayce track in Cresson Tx and waiting for the Motorcycle people to finish up. Soon camp will be made and we will be registered.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/05/at_the_rayce.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/05/at_the_rayce.html 2009 FSGP Sun, 31 May 2009 17:24:36 -0600 jaco0810 http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/05/at_the_rayce.html#comments Departure for FSGP 2009 After a long night of final preparations and packing, the team departed this morning on our trip down to the 2009 Formula Sun Grand Prix. Tonight we will be camping at the KOA campground near Sallisaw, OK.

The electrical team has done a great job of chasing down every last little electrical gremlin, and the car is in better shape than it ever has been before. Spirits are high, and we are going to do our very best to take home the gold.

-Adem Rudin
Crew Chief

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/05/departure_for_fsgp_2009.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/05/departure_for_fsgp_2009.html 2009 FSGP Sat, 30 May 2009 09:53:04 -0600 Adem Rudin http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2009/05/departure_for_fsgp_2009.html#comments We're Home! Everyone is safely back in the Twin Cities.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2008/07/were_home.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2008/07/were_home.html 2008 NASC Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:28:05 -0600 David Towey http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2008/07/were_home.html#comments Awards Reception UMNSVP Recieves three more awards for their hard work.

]]> http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2008/07/awards_reception.html http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2008/07/awards_reception.html 2008 NASC Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:23:49 -0600 David Towey http://blog.lib.umn.edu/itcomm/svpupdates/2008/07/awards_reception.html#comments