Frank
12-23-2006, 10:30 PM
I've sledged design judges, organisers, car park attendants, marshals, and scrutineers. After 5 years of FSAE, including a few good results (3rd, 4th, and 2nd overall at FSAE-A) I figured it was time to be a volunteer. I'm not sure if my initial motivation was to make a difference, curiosity, a sense of obligation, or good ˜ol FSAE withdrawal symptoms. I saw a completely different side to the competition.
On Friday I was an "inexperienced tech inspector", working in a team led by Wollongong's past leader, Eddie Martin. Thanks for your help in showing me the ropes Eddie! What I learnt is that a team's likelihood of success can be easily determined from the first 5mins of tech.
Nearly every car will have something picked up, even FSAE gurus like RMIT and UWA! The best teams had members who had either witnessed a tech inspection or taken part in one before. It's a good idea to videotape the tech inspection process for new members to watch!
It used to be the number of threads protruding from fasteners that would unravel the weight conscious, meaning a furious bout of cutting down cap-screws in the pit before a re-inspection. The rule is now clearly defined and teams who read the rules won't risk "not 2 threads" syndrome.
The OEM fuel-hose rule caught a heap of teams this year; they're expected on ALL fuel lines now. Gaps in firewalls, and occasionally "line of sight to 100mm above the base of the driver's helmet and any component containing fluids" will get the better teams with their pants down, but it is usually easily fixed with tape, or rapid sheet metalwork.
Some teams are also pushing the limit on "inversion of the steering system". Understandable when the tracks demand huge steering angles and Ackerman is the favoured steering progression. But people, if you're going to push the limit, at least have shims at the ready if tech inspectors don't like the compliance and want your steering travel reduced.
What really surprised me throughout the day was that there were teams who didn't understand the intent of the technical rules; and in some cases obviously hadn't read the technical rules nor scrutinised their car beforehand. Most of these teams took the knock backs well (the scrutineers are routinely compassionate), but a few who were about miss skid-pan on the Saturday stated to "loose it".
A few tips for tech:
1/ Be in the first few cars in line. The tech inspectors are under pressure to get the cars out on the track. Later in the day they have more time, more experience, and a more rigorous inspection procedures in place.
2/ DON'T front up with any fluids leaking / pooling / dripping from your car. You'll be sent away.
3/ Have all your systems easily accessible, and viewable. Have the nosecone off, and preferably seat out (or ready to remove) before you get there.
4/ Neat cars get through quick. In some cases it takes the inspector time to determine which components are which. Give the inspectors a hand by pointing where the components are. Example "We have a fuel tank here (competitor points) and we use an in-tank low pressure fuel pump, there is a fuel header-tank here (pointing again) and a high pressure fuel pump here."
5/ If your going to deliberately cheat, then be an adult when you get caught out.
6/ Have a complete copy of the rules printed and with the car.
7/ Remember to bring BOTH of your fire extinguishers, and ALL of your driver's safety apparel.
8/ Best advice is to get your alumni involved with the event. They raise the standards in tech, and can't inspect your car.
On Friday I was an "inexperienced tech inspector", working in a team led by Wollongong's past leader, Eddie Martin. Thanks for your help in showing me the ropes Eddie! What I learnt is that a team's likelihood of success can be easily determined from the first 5mins of tech.
Nearly every car will have something picked up, even FSAE gurus like RMIT and UWA! The best teams had members who had either witnessed a tech inspection or taken part in one before. It's a good idea to videotape the tech inspection process for new members to watch!
It used to be the number of threads protruding from fasteners that would unravel the weight conscious, meaning a furious bout of cutting down cap-screws in the pit before a re-inspection. The rule is now clearly defined and teams who read the rules won't risk "not 2 threads" syndrome.
The OEM fuel-hose rule caught a heap of teams this year; they're expected on ALL fuel lines now. Gaps in firewalls, and occasionally "line of sight to 100mm above the base of the driver's helmet and any component containing fluids" will get the better teams with their pants down, but it is usually easily fixed with tape, or rapid sheet metalwork.
Some teams are also pushing the limit on "inversion of the steering system". Understandable when the tracks demand huge steering angles and Ackerman is the favoured steering progression. But people, if you're going to push the limit, at least have shims at the ready if tech inspectors don't like the compliance and want your steering travel reduced.
What really surprised me throughout the day was that there were teams who didn't understand the intent of the technical rules; and in some cases obviously hadn't read the technical rules nor scrutinised their car beforehand. Most of these teams took the knock backs well (the scrutineers are routinely compassionate), but a few who were about miss skid-pan on the Saturday stated to "loose it".
A few tips for tech:
1/ Be in the first few cars in line. The tech inspectors are under pressure to get the cars out on the track. Later in the day they have more time, more experience, and a more rigorous inspection procedures in place.
2/ DON'T front up with any fluids leaking / pooling / dripping from your car. You'll be sent away.
3/ Have all your systems easily accessible, and viewable. Have the nosecone off, and preferably seat out (or ready to remove) before you get there.
4/ Neat cars get through quick. In some cases it takes the inspector time to determine which components are which. Give the inspectors a hand by pointing where the components are. Example "We have a fuel tank here (competitor points) and we use an in-tank low pressure fuel pump, there is a fuel header-tank here (pointing again) and a high pressure fuel pump here."
5/ If your going to deliberately cheat, then be an adult when you get caught out.
6/ Have a complete copy of the rules printed and with the car.
7/ Remember to bring BOTH of your fire extinguishers, and ALL of your driver's safety apparel.
8/ Best advice is to get your alumni involved with the event. They raise the standards in tech, and can't inspect your car.