Well, after much discussion, a lot of prognosticating, and some design work, we started the build on our car. We had an in class field trip last Friday, and made some decent progress.
Here is a shot of one of our drivers in our mock up establishing the seating position. If you look close, you can see the body lines on the full size drawing next to the car.
Hi Stevie, I don't know what type of tracks you will race on in Georgia. If they are tracks with tight turns I would highly recommend that you bring the front axle back so that it is even with the driver's knees. Then the feet go into the nose cone. This way the car has a shorter wheelbase and will be able to corner better....Think Caddy vs. a BMW Z3 or other sports car. At Willamette we try to keep our wheel base between 45 and 58 inches. Mike
Stevie G said
Feb 9, 2012
We have already brought it back from 97 (Scary, huh?) to 80" since that picture was taken on the 27th. We figure to run it around our course at the school and make adjustments before fitting the body. We are trying to keep the profile low. So far, the kids are having a blast, and they are learning quite a bit, so it's a win/win.
mhodgertt said
Feb 10, 2012
That is what makes the electrathon program so great for schools. Kids learn so much more than they would with me telling them what they need to learn for later life or a grade, because they see an immediate need to do something and do it well so that they can win. I have kids that hate school and don't see any need for them to be there---all of the sudden are asking me if they can stay late while there are asking math, science, english questions that they need for their cars and sometimes even things for other classes that they would have just shined off as not important. I have been a teacher for 27 years and this is the greatest hook for kids I have ever seen. Oh and have I mentioned that it is a blast to teach since the kids come in excited to learn. I also get the perk of racing my own car and playing in a metals lab.....(And they pay me for this--I make at least $1 an hour.)
Good luck and have fun, Mike
meangreen said
Feb 11, 2012
Stevie, If you are planning on making it to Quitman (Brooks County High) in May, you may want to consider shortening that wheelbase some more. There are at least two turns on that course that are going to give your driver fits with that long wheelbase. The wheelbase on my cars is 57 inches - long enough to be stable at speed, but short enough to handle the tight courses with ease (without overworking the drivers). You've seen my cars; they're some of the lowest profile cars in the southeast...
dmorgan said
May 17, 2012
Stevie, We missed you this past weekend! We sorely needed another GA car in the race. I'm sure we'll see each other this summer & we'll compare notes!
Well, after much discussion, a lot of prognosticating, and some design work, we started the build on our car. We had an in class field trip last Friday, and made some decent progress.
Here is a shot of one of our drivers in our mock up establishing the seating position. If you look close, you can see the body lines on the full size drawing next to the car.
http://gcps-stevengriffing.onmycalendar.com/?PK=A1S8142S142465A&IK=A4S99346S4253F
I don't know what type of tracks you will race on in Georgia. If they are tracks with tight turns I would highly recommend that you bring the front axle back so that it is even with the driver's knees. Then the feet go into the nose cone. This way the car has a shorter wheelbase and will be able to corner better....Think Caddy vs. a BMW Z3 or other sports car. At Willamette we try to keep our wheel base between 45 and 58 inches.
Mike
So far, the kids are having a blast, and they are learning quite a bit, so it's a win/win.
Good luck and have fun,
Mike
If you are planning on making it to Quitman (Brooks County High) in May, you may want to consider shortening that wheelbase some more. There are at least two turns on that course that are going to give your driver fits with that long wheelbase. The wheelbase on my cars is 57 inches - long enough to be stable at speed, but short enough to handle the tight courses with ease (without overworking the drivers). You've seen my cars; they're some of the lowest profile cars in the southeast...
Stevie, We missed you this past weekend! We sorely needed another GA car in the race. I'm sure we'll see each other this summer & we'll compare notes!
Don