Transcript farnorth - Far North Racing

Far North Racing
ProSolo Lessons Learned
for a Formula SAE Team
Dennis Grant
Racing Resume
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1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Detroit Regional G Stock
ProSolo G Stock
ProSolo E Street Prepared
ProSolo Street Modified
ProSolo Street Modified
ProSolo Street Modified
ProSolo Street Modified
Dennis Grant
National Level Autox vs FSAE
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Surface usually concrete, not asphalt
Course is wider, with fewer cones
Average turn radius larger
Tends to mean much faster overall
(peak speeds in an SM car ~ 120 kmh)
Dennis Grant
ProSolo vs “Amateur” Solo
• More runs (12 on 2 courses vs 6 on 2
courses)
• Head-to-head vs one at a time
• Standing start with a dragstrip tree
• Challenges on Sunday (if you qualify)
• Series points for both classes and
Challenges
• Pays Money! (in theory)
Dennis Grant
Typical ProSolo Course Layout
Dennis Grant
The Car - Performance
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1997 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD
2 litre turbocharged Mitsubishi 4G63
~ 350 HP
0-60 MPH in 3.6 seconds
1/4 mile in 12.4 @106
1.2 lateral G, peaks to 1.6
2800lbs empty
Dennis Grant
Street Modified Rules
• Start with a production car
• Unlimited driveline
• Unlimited suspension using OEM
chassis attachment points
• Chassis must remain stock (roll cage
allowed)
• Some oddball allowances (seats, hood)
• DOT approved R-compound tires
Dennis Grant
The Car - Technology
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EFI Computer by GEMS (AEM EMS)
Data Logger by Edelbrock
Turbo by Garrett/Forced Performance
Carbon fibre driveshaft
Shocks by Bilstein/Fox
Transmission by TRE and Quaife
Suspension Model by WinGeo3
Dennis Grant
Dennis Grant
Lessons Learned
• Fully half of what you try is wrong
• Why guess when you can know?
• Doing things right ONCE is far cheaper
than doing it half-assed multiple times
• Performance is 1/3 car, 1/3 tire, and
1/3 driver
• Driving is a learned skill, not an ability
Dennis Grant
FSAE Observations
• Most cars seem to have never turned
a wheel in anger until the day of the
event
• Drivers lack experience not just in the
car, but in competition driving AT ALL
• A basic car with a good driver will beat
a starship with a monkey at the helm
• How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
Dennis Grant
Other Observations
• The design of any car starts with the
rulebook
• Make a plan and follow it
• Separate operational tasks/staff from
engineering - but keep them
communicating!
• Assume Murphy’s Law is in full effect
and plan accordingly
Dennis Grant
Still More Observations
• Consider tuning the car for each subevent
• Beware the clique! Social skills apply
• Above all, HAVE FUN!
Dennis Grant
Questions & War Stories
Dennis Grant
Other Resources
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http://farnorthracing.com
http://streetmodified.org/books.html
RaceCar Engineering Magazine
Race Tech Magazine
Circle Track Magazine
http://www.scca.org
http://www.detroit-scca.org
Dennis Grant