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Today is the day before SunRace 2003 is set to begin in Adelaide, and the business of the day was to have UNSW Sunswift II scrutinised and register the team at Adelaide International Raceway. Scrutineering is also a chance to meet up with the other teams competing in the race.
The late night had taken its toll, and many team members found comfort cuddling up to Willy. Apparently he made a very good pillow.
The serious business of scrutineering was to ensure that each of the cars is safe and conforms to the rules. This process involves checking over the electrical, mechanical and safety aspects of the car. The drivers are also weighed to ensure they meet the minimum 80kg, and lead ballast is measured out to make up any difference. The array power is also limited to 1200 watts for this race, so this was also tested.
One of the most important parts of scrutineering is the dynamic testing of cars. First a braking test is performed, in which the solar car has to stop from 50 km/h in a short distance. UNSW Sunswift II's driver pulled the car up well within the required distance, locking the rear wheel in the process. Then the car's speed is measured over the racetrack's main straight. UNSW Sunswift II recorded a respectable speed, but still ended up second on the start grid behind Aurora.
Towards the end of the day our trackers arrived from NTU. While some team members set to work installing the trackers in the array, the rest of us packed up everything which we were going to need to take with us on the race, clearing out the significant amount of stuff which had accumulated in our rooms.
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. | | | |
