UM Solar - ASC - Day 4
UM Solar camped over night just outside of Logansport, IN. Things continue to go well and Quantum keeps increasing its lead. The Stage will end, this afternoon, at Illinois State University in Normal, IL. Here are the Day 4 stands thru the Kalamazoo Check Point:
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Top 3 Overall:
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Stage 3 current standings:
Last updated 7/17/12 – 21:10 Eastern. Times given as hh:mm:ss. |
Quantum, aerial view:
Video:
Quantum is already on the move towards Normal, IL. The weather may be really variable today and I'm sure the plan is to get to the Stage Stop before the atmosphere heats up and begins to get unstable (rain, t-storms). They'll also want to get as much of a charge, in Normal, as possible (for tomorrow):
Cloudy but beautiful morning charge! Rolling out in 5 minutes (8:45 AM EDT)
UPDATE: a storm filled, gray day awaits the competitors as they traverse Indiana and Illinois, on Rt. 24, into Bloomington/Normal. Storms have already popped up and died down. This must be the reason UM Solar pushed all the way to Logansport. I'm guessing they'll want to get to IL St. and see if they can get a charge before the weather totally craps out.
UPDATE II: The Weather car has arrived at Illinois State (11:02 AM CDT). Quantum shouldn't be far behind.
UPDATE III: Hello Illinois! Number 6 out of 8 states, we're still leading! (11:15 AM CDT)
The weather doesn't look too bad in that picture. Welcome to the Land of Lincoln (and Corruption).
UPDATE IV: Quantum is first into Normal and charging (12:16 PM CDT):
Is it safe to assume that the teams with no Kalamazoo times are basically out? With the predicted bad weather for the day I just don't see how a team could make up that kind of distance.
No, I wouldn't assume that. You have to remember that with a fully charged battery and working solar array, you can continue to advance thru lousy weather, albeit at a greatly reduced rate of speed. No team is going to gain much ground today, if any.
Sorry you missed Quantum yesterday. If you saw another yellow car, it may have been Western.
I now understand why UM Solar went as far as Logansport; they wanted to get as far as they could and still have a few hours to charge batteries. The weather along the Rt. 24 corridor, this morning, is very iffy. There have already been pop-up storms and I would imagine that the cloud cover will remain throughout the day. UM Solar wanted a short run into Normal as to avoid draining the battery. Tomorrow will be interesting, too. The Weather Team appears to have nailed the forecast and the Team adjusted accordingly.
For those teams that still need to pass from Michigan through Goshen, the weather here is very cloudy and and they will have to pass through some rain before getting a little relief. I guess I underestimated just how far one of these cars can travel on a full charge.
The car I saw yesterday was white. I think in the Day 3 thread someone hinted that it may have been MIT. The car looked pretty cool, but I can only imagine how sweet the Michigan car must look. Is the car ever out on display where people can go see it? I would drive a couple hours to check it out. I wonder if they would ever let it drive out on the field at halftime sometime.
Michigan has so many things to cheer about that I feel bad for this team. They appear to have a strong hold as the best in America and top in the world, yet I feel like they don't get enough press with all the competition of excellence.
I seem to recall one of the Aussie competitors from 20+ years ago (Continuum, maybe?) driving around the turf (see? 20 years ago!) and doing a loop around the stadium (or at least on the field) during pre-game? (Bronco648 or any old-timer, what can you find/recall?)
Dunno if that would meet Hunter's vision of "WOW" for M Athletics. You can always go to the basement of Cobo during NAIAS and talk, look, take pics, etc.
The Team has only been in existance since 1990 (22 years). Continuum is from 2007-08. I do not recall any solar car taking a lap at the Big House (although, I live in Chiago so I may have missed that). I do know that Quantum did a photo shoot, at the Big House, before leaving for the WSC last October. However, that was not on a game day.
UPDATE: Apparently the 2001 Team was on the field during pre-game. It's unknown if the car was on the field as well.
Ah, geez. Looking at the Wikipage, I KNEW I wanted to type "Sun Runner" (as I recall, the profile of the car at M Stadium was Sun Runner or Maize & Blue).
Thanks for latching onto the fumble. (Per yesterday's MGopost on fumblitis, were you coached to do that?)
There is an older team member, from the early 90s, that may remember to what you are referring. I will check with him to see if your memory is correct. Stay tuned.
As I said, the solar array is capable of producing electricity even though it's cloudy or raining. Obviously, not as much electricity as when it's sunny. Those cars still in Michigan will have to adjust for the conditions.
I believe MIT's car is white as is Iowa State's car. You can see pictures of Quantum at the UM Solar web site. I saw the car at IMS last year, it's very cool (and I used to race cars and work for a race team). I believe the car goes on display occasionally, again, check the Team's web site (or send them an email). I'm sure they'll let you drive it onto the field, at halftime, of the MSU game......... =D
There's no reason to feel bat for the Team. They are very well supported by the University, the surrounding business community and most importantly, by alumni. They're the best in the US for those reasons. Local press will eventually catch on. I'm hoping to make an impact by posting here. I got you involved/excited didn't I? =D
Sexy:
Rumours are that Michigan has penalties coming up...
As of start today, M had a 4 hour lead on the nearest competitor.
I said yesterday that the bad weather would turn that into 6 by the end of today. It's now at least 7, pending possible penalties. This might break the record of 9+ set in 2008.
Haha, have you seen the weather for tomorrow?
Also I don't knock on wood.
Also the last time I did the 'I don't knock on wood' thing fairings hurtled toward the Chase vehicle.