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Far North Racing ProSolo Lessons Learned for a Formula SAE Team Racing Resume 1997 Detroit Regional G Stock 1998 ProSolo G Stock 1999 ProSolo E Street Prepared 2000 ProSolo Street Modified 2001 ProSolo Street Modified 2002 ProSolo Street Modified 2003 ProSolo Street Modified
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Far North Racing ProSolo Lessons Learned for a Formula SAE Team Dennis Grant
Racing Resume • 1997 Detroit Regional G Stock • 1998 ProSolo G Stock • 1999 ProSolo E Street Prepared • 2000 ProSolo Street Modified • 2001 ProSolo Street Modified • 2002 ProSolo Street Modified • 2003 ProSolo Street Modified Dennis Grant
National Level Autox vs FSAE • 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 • 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 • 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
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 sub-event • Beware the clique! Social skills apply • Above all, HAVE FUN! Dennis Grant
Questions & War Stories Dennis Grant
Other Resources • 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