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Today was the day when it finally felt like the race was drawing near. After a sleep in until 8 o'clock, we headed off to Adelaide International Raceway where the scrutineering for AGO SunRace 2002 was to be held. On arriving we met several of the other teams which we would be competing against, and we pulled the car out next to the Aurora RMIT team in the pit area. The South Australian Consortium's car Ned arrived soon after us. While we waited our turn to be scrutineered by officials we took advantage of the opportunity to socialise, swapping stories about recent races and taking a good look over the other cars.
When it came time for our turn, the project leader and team manager for the race, Eddie Hope, showed officials over UNSW Sunswift II. The scrutineering ensures that the electrical and mechanical systems of the car conform with the rules, and that the safety of the driver is looked after. The car passed with flying colours, with only a slight modification to a sticker required. At this time the power output of the array was also tested. The regulations limit array power to 1200 watts to level the playing field so that a team doesn't win just because it had a lot of money to spend on their cells. We scraped in under the limit with 1180 watts.
With formalities out of the way, Andrew Ridings jumped into the car to get a few practice laps of the circuit in. This is where the speed trial to determine grid positions for the race is going to be held tomorrow, and Andrew wanted to have a look at the track first. He pushed the car fairly hard through the corners, wearing out one of the special solar car tyres which Michelin provides for the team. While out on the course he also sped past Aurora, hopefully a sign of things to come. Eventually Spirit of Canberra, from Lake Tuggeranong College, arrived just as we were getting ready to leave, ending speculation that they may not be racing.
Since everything was more or less ready for the race, the team had the afternoon and evening off to relax a little. It was very hot all day, so it's not surprising that many went for a swim in the caravan park's pool. An impromptu diving competition ensued, with points awarded for originality and deducted for splashing the judges. It was generally agreed that diving was the winner on the day. Most of the team then decided to go out for dinner, and ended up taking a magical mystery tour of Adelaide which took in large areas of the city. While some of us had to make *that* phone call...
Willy The Whale
Willy!
Mail Bag
If you have a question for the team, or would like to wish them well, write to our mail bag, care of Ask Willy. | | | |
