Maybe it's the camera angle, but in the video it looked like you were running tons of anti-Ackerman.

quote:

Maybe it's the camera angle, but in the video it looked like you were running tons of anti-Ackerman.

It's the angle, we have parallel steering. The engine tuning on that run was also way off, it was much more responsive after a new map was loaded.

quote:

Originally posted by drivetrainUW-Platt:
Cross between Iowa State from 2 years ago and UTA?

Reply to: Cross between Iowa State from 2 years ago and UTA?

Mike,

Actually just to clear this up- there is very little of this car that resembles Iowa States besides the paint colors. We both have ethanol sponsors, although they are sponsored by ICM while we are sponosored by POET and South Dakota Corn Utilization Council. Now... in terms of resemblence to the UTA car- there are a few similiarities. We have had the chance to hang out with the guys from UTA quite a bit the past three or four years so we have borrowed a few design ideas. Yet, as everyone knows so well in Fomula SAE- a picture of another car means absolutely nothing unless you know how it works! Also, here is a link to our website showing our past few cars- note in particular our 2006 car - http://fsae.sdsmt.edu/?sec=team_hist We have taken a different approach the past few years by using an "evolutionary" design process- and it finally seems to be paying off for us with a 6th place overall finish at West. On a final note- you commented on where you though the car design originated from- I am actually curious if you like it?

Wes Snaza
SDSM&T Engineering Lead

Wes, that comment was meant to be a compliment. It is a very sharp looking car. No monster wings or bad body work your car.

The comparison was striclty the paint colors and the overall look, just surface similarities.

Mike,

Thanks, I figured as much- and as everyone knows- you can't built a light car unless you pay attention to the details.

Wes

quote:

Originally posted by mtg:
Rumor: A&M engine in sad shape after enduro

quote:

Originally posted by kmrobinson:
Our engine is fine, the Aprilia engine is good actually.

I would like to revisit this.
I had mtg add that to our endurance notes.

On Sunday, I talked to the guys that were telling me this once more.
They were adamant that the Texas A&M engine had issues after the endurance.
They claim that they saw the oil catch can with a lot of milky fluid after the endurance.

I can't be certain but my picture seems to confirm this might have been happening:
Overview:


Full zoom on the catch cans - looks a little milky to me in the forward (oil) can.


I'm not trying to stir things up. It's not a problem if you want to ignore me.
I'm just curious what was going on - I know a lot of people were pretty impressed by that engine (and by your car).
If that engine might have issues I'm sure I'm not the only one that wonders what they are.

Congratulations either way. Pretty impressive showing overall.

Video of our second autocross run by our first driver is available here. This one's significantly faster than the one I posted before... Shame about those two cones though!

Another pic

I knew a lot of people were interested in our engine, but I am truly impressed at how observant James Waltman & GSXR05K are.

Yes, the oil is milky. The Aprilia has known problems with seals between the cooling and oiling systems (see apriliaforums.com/forums/). The problem began several days before we left for FSAE West, but the seal to fix it didn't arrive until the day after we returned. We were changing oil after every session at home and at competition. Hopefully there was no major damage. The Aprilia is like dating a super model - many attractive features, but high maintainance.

Mr. Mcdermott,

Would you care to comment on your team's philosophy about using a "rare" engine to competition? How many spares do you have / did you bring?

Thank you. Aaron

quote:

Originally posted by make mcdermott:
The Aprilia is like dating a super model - many attractive features, but high maintainance.

HAHA. Guess that makes a single cylinder supercharged Yamaha like dating a temperamental stripper.

Congrats on the win TAMU!

quote:
Originally posted by make mcdermott:
The Aprilia is like dating a super model - many attractive features, but high maintainance.



"HAHA. Guess that makes a single cylinder supercharged Yamaha like dating a temperamental stripper.

Congrats on the win TAMU!"

Maybe that's why we've only been dating them for one season each? Gig 'Em Ags!

-Kevin LeClair
TAMU FSAE 2006

Dan G-

will you be posting a zip of all your pictures as well?

also if anyone else with galleries would like to put up a zip of their gallery that would be appreciated. I like to collect the pictures so that i still have them long after anyones websites might be taken down. also its easier to look at the pics when they are on my hard drive.

If you need a host I can provide some hosting.

Oh yeah, I uploaded a zip a few days ago but never put the link up here...

http://evilengineering.com/FSAE-W07.zip

Here's a link to the zip of the east shots too...

http://evilengineering.com/FSAE07East_shrunk.zip

A lot of people were bugging me to post the video of the OU fire. I was standing in the dynamic area waiting for the driver change when it happened and the fire definitely looked bigger from that angle. Good thing Kyle always does the 5 sec. egress for tech!

I have to give a big thanks to our paddock partners for helping us out, whether it was borrowing a fastener or dipping in the pool. Congratulations for winning design and we look forward to racing with you guys at UTA weekend, Nationals, etc.!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnoOJXOudEw

GSX05etc.

That coolant bottle looks a bit milky, is it a trick of the light?

Coneboy, no.

The picture was taken when the car was on the east side of their trailer in the late afternoon shade. The flash was on.

Aaron

quote:

The Aprilia is like dating a super model - many attractive features, but high maintainance.

...plus you get guys taking pictures of her/it all the time.

...sorry about showing up late to this party.

If anyone from Toledo is reading...

Is the driver's seat really hanging outside of the chassis as much as i see here?
FSAEW07 Toledo

Should a suspension component fail, does the car come to rest on the chassis structure, or this "bump"? Or have you shown that the seat will handle impact and skidding to a stop w/o driver harm?

I suppose this question should also go out to any team the mounts master cylinders underneath their footbox; Have you shown that the chassis hits the ground before any component that interfaces directly with the driver does?

What you are looking at is actually part of the chassis, its just wrapped in carbon fiber and then the seat is above that.