Starting this thread a bit early, but I've got a question for everyone.

http://perljam.net/google-satellite-maps/id/2484/United...Ford_Proving_Grounds

Where the hell are we gonna be??

The parking lots don't seem to be to the scope of the silverdome. I know it would be kick ass to run the endurance on the test track , but in reality, there doesnt seem to be the kind of space I was assuming. Any other thoughts?

I would start by looking in Romeo, MI rather than Dearborn. Much larger facility, not hard to find on an ariel view of Romeo.

There's a huge black lake at the Romeo proving grounds- I'm pretty sure that's where it will be. The Romeo proving grounds is also much bigger than the Dearborn site.

I present Romeo Proving Grounds...

http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.843877,-83.067455&spn...1,0.085127&t=h&hl=en

Anyone found any hotels who will give us a discount? They havent listed any on the SAE website yet.

My bad, but still, where are the pits gonna be?

Unless that blacktop lake is HUGE! From the satelitte photos it looks like its about 2000 feet long, and 500-600 ft wide at the widest point, which is a bit smaller than the Superdome parking lot, where we had excess space.

Yeah, it looks like the black lake should be plenty big enough, although there's probably some ride roads over part of what we can see from the sat picture.

ha, spy pictures, gota love terraserver and the government

Yep, terraservers pic of the black lake is higher res, and answered all my questions. Plenty of room for this years comp, and it looks like it'll be pretty fast too, given a layout similar to last years endurance.

Wow, you're right. Terraserver has a much better view...

Go read up on the collegiate design newsletter for the last month. They detail the setup of the competition (we get to take shuttles) and there is a link that shows how the paddocks will be set up.

Thanks for the heads up. For those lazier than me, I'll copy/paste the info here...

quote:

Formula SAE in Michigan

Event Site IMPORTANT Notices:

• Remember we have been invited to hold the competition at
  the Ford Michigan Proving Grounds. This opportunity gives
  your team a chance to compete on 40 acres of perfect
  asphalt...however we are guests and there are certain
  stipulations we need to ask your teams to appreciate and
  follow. NOTE: This information on site use is preliminary and
  subject to change prior to the competition.

1. Team Paddocks

• They will be spread out this year. Teams may be paddocked
  on Grass, Gravel or Pavement. Be prepared for any of them!
  
• You will be given a space no larger than 17' x 34.5'. NO
  EXCEPTIONS will be made, unfortunately this year we have
  limited space and will not be able to accept tractor trailers. If
  you have any concerns, please email katklauz@aol.com.

2. Site Access

• Teams will be allowed to enter the site starting at 8:30 a.m.
  Wednesday, May 17, 2006. Each team will be guided to the
  event site and their paddock by event volunteers.
  
• Site will open daily at 6:30 am for the teams. Buses will run
  continuously to shuttle teams from the main gate to the event
  site and back.
  
• The site will officially close at 8:30pm and all teams must be
  offsite by 9pm. If you must take your car offsite, you will have
  to line up starting at 7pm and ready to leave by 8pm following
  an escort out of the event site.
  
• All team members, faculty advisors, etc must register at main
  gate before entering into event site
  
• Parking within the competition site itself is very limited. Only
  the team transportation vehicle will be allowed into the
  paddock area, all others will have to park at main gate and
  be shuttled in.

3. Onsite Rules

• All team members must stay within the competition site. All
  parts of the Ford Michigan Proving Grounds other than the
  competition site are restricted areas. Participants must remain
  with in the competition site at all times. Trespassing outside the
  competition site will result in the expulsion of the entire team.
  
• Ford generally does not permit cameras within the Michigan
  Proving Grounds, however for this event; they are working on a
  resolution to allow camera use only at competition site.
  
• Teams will be asked to monitor their trash and be sure to clean up every night; there will be
  dumpsters placed onsite.

4. Food

• We are currently reviewing options for on-site meals for teams. In the meantime, please be aware
  that it is a 1-1.5 hour trip off site to get food. Please plan accordingly. We strongly recommend
  bringing your provisions with you each day. Hot plate cooking will be permitted in the paddock
  area, and we will arrange a designated area for BBQs. Propane is allowed; charcoal is not.

5. Hotels

• SAE is currently working on hotel contracts for teams and we hope to have them posted by end
  of November/beginning of December.
  
• The nearest hotels are approximately 20 minutes from event site. Teams should be aware that
  walking to the event site from their hotels is not an option.

I was looking up hotels around Romeo and it seems like all of the hotels that are nearest are the ones that a lot teams have been staying in in previous years (ie. by the Silverdome). Guess that makes Big Buck still a realistic possibility again this year

quote:

The site will officially close at 8:30pm and all teams must be
offsite by 9pm. If you must take your car offsite, you will have
to line up starting at 7pm and ready to leave by 8pm following
an escort out of the event site

Teams won't be able to work on their cars overnight!!!! ????

How about walking the endurance track friday night like last year's competition?

how about design semi-final, which usually runs to like 10-11pm or later....

wow, lot more strict then the Silverdome....what happens when(not if) it rains and we are all out in the grass with our trailers and cars, sounds like a huge mess. Should be nice to race on a real track thou.

man if they ban camera I'll be pissed....my dslr will be useless.....lol

quote:

Originally posted by drivetrainUW-Platt:
wow, lot more strict then the Silverdome....what happens when(not if) it rains and we are all out in the grass with our trailers and cars, sounds like a huge mess. Should be nice to race on a real track thou.

Romeostock.

Taking your car offsite to work overnight means no electrical power... I'm sure the hotels are going to LOVE having 50 teams running power tools and floodlights and generators all night in the parking lots.

Well, at least people will have a bar close by so they can celebrate when they fix something. I can imagine Big Buck will still be getting a good amount of business.