A build thread should be required, for those wishing to compete in sanctioned EA events.
"Our MISSION: To inspire an interest in Science, Engineering, and Technology by involving participants in the design, construction, testing and development of competitive electric vehicles.
COMPETITION OBJECTIVES
1. To drive electrically powered vehicles as far as possible in one hour on a closed loop course with limited electrical energy.
2. To provide a forum where skill and ingenuity may be displayed, compared and tested.
3. To improve public awareness and understanding of efficient alternative electric vehicles and related technologies.
4. To create an affordable sport defined by established rules in which Schools, Individuals and Corporate Teams can participate competitively and safely. (page 3.)
"Building a vehicle is the challenge" (page 15.)
A build thread helps to document EA racers while they are being built
...& can help teams in the same state, or even all across the country, to help each other by
...following along, on other team's build process, which helps them while building their own cars (by seeing how the other team's cars are progressing)
...or by making suggestions
...or asking/answering questions
...& even sharing tips & tricks along the way (basically what this forum is for)
Maybe the most important thing is that it provides a platform "for all to see" the creativeness & craftsmanship, that teams have put into their cars
...&/so, future racers can read thru to these threads to see what others have done (& how they did it)
An ongoing wealth of knowledge
Teams should continually update their build thread (daily, weekly, monthly) with their
...ideas
...methods
...questions
...progress
...testing
...problem solving
...re-testing
...fine tuning
...& maybe even include videos (if picture say a 1,000 words then, videos must say millions)
Creating & maintaining a build thread on this (or any) forum is like a photo album & digital notebook, of a racer, that can be reviewed by the builders & shared with others ...forever
* Personally, I go back & re-read my build threads (as a quick refresher) all of the time, like:
...when trying to trouble shooting an issue
...or before doing a repair
...or when thinking about a possible up grade
...or even, when contemplating building another vehicle
Teachers (or anyone...really) could research & refer to EA build threads, when trying to explain how to build a racer
...& be able to easily show multiple examples, of how thing can be (or have been) done (different materials, methods & components)
...& how others have done things (all of the different results)
Then, the class (team) could use this info while discussing & comparing ideas for their car, like:
...what they liked (aesthetically)
...how a car runs (performance)
...to what they could accomplish (skills)
...& also, to what their team can afford (budget)
Plus, race inspectors would have an idea of (or do homework to know) what each racer is "all about", before an in person/at the track inspection, like:
...materials used (chassis tube size, thickness etc.)
...components (motor, batt pack, wheels, brakes etc.)
...construction methods (welded, bolted, bonded etc.)
Especially with racers that are running Lithium battery packs, like:
...what type of cells are the batt pack made of? (3.2V (nom) or 3.7V (nom) & are they pouch cells or cylindrical etc.)
...how well are the cells matched?
...how well is the battery box built?
...how are the cells secured, in the box?
...how is the box secured in the race car?
...what (if any) safety features (in the event of a catastrophe) are built into the box (& why)
* * I've read about racers showing up to race with the seat belts secured to the chassis, with things like Zip-ties & boot laces
...so, issues like this this could be caught & addressed, well in advance of a race
&
I've also, heard of teams that did lots of hard work, to build a racer
...& endured the work & expenses to load everything up & travel to a race
...only to find out that their car didn't qualify (for what ever reason) & that they couldn't race
Also, IMO a build thread doesn't have to be a 50 page book
...or "daily log" even (but, it could be)
It could be something as simple as a slide show (a few pictures)
...with a brief description, of what each photo is showing (& why)
or
Just a simple write up, like:
This is team_____
...we are building a racer using_____(materials)
...it's going to be designed like_____(reclined seating or upright etc.)
...it's going to be motivated by _____(motor & controller)
...& powered by_____(battery pack)
&
Questions could be asked & discussed so much more easily
...with members knowing more about each others cars
Plus,
Any "RED FLAGS" could be caught
...& discussed more easily, like:
If someone was working with Galvanized metal without taking safety precautions (for example)
...because heating (from cutting, grinding &/or welding) can release toxic (deadly) fumes
&/or
Folks working with Lithium batteries, without practicing proper safety protocals
