UM Solar - Formula Sun Grand Prix Results
The 2012 FSGP is history and UM Solar is your victor. A strong result from Iowa State promises an interesting American Solar Challenge. They're even talking a little smack:
The only trouble on the day was a 30-minute delay in the morning to double-check the car’s solar array. That allowed the University of Michigan to race to a 20-lap lead. “If we had started at the same time, we would be directly competitive with them,” Stumpges said. “That promises good things with this car.”
And:
Stumpges said the Michigan team, winner of the past four races across America, is beginning to notice the team from Ames. Yes, Stumpges said. “We were neck and neck with Michigan a good part of the day.”
Here's the final results. The starting grid, for the ASC, is 1 - Quantum, 2 - Iowa State's PrISUm, 3 - Western Michigan and 4 - Illinois State.
Congratulations to PrISUm for setting the fastest lap of the '12 FSGP. The ASC rolls off tomorrow, Saturday, July 14, 2012. With showers and thunderstorms a possibility thru the upper Midwest, for the weekend, it may be interesting to see how things progress over the first three or four days of the race. It's also supposed to be hot next week and that may play into the final results as well. The Strategy Team as well as the Weather Team will play an integral part. Go Quantum, Go UM Solar, Go Blue.
 Standings:
Fastest Lap: Iowa State University: 2:18 |
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The 2012 Formula Sun Grand Prix is complete!
Last updated on 7-12-2012 -15:00 Eastern. Each lap is 1.6 miles. * Team Not Yet Inspected |
Congratulations! How would a prospective team member go about applying/joining?
Their Website: http://solarcar.engin.umich.edu/about-us/
On their about us page:
Members of umsolar come from many different backgrounds, disciplines, and colleges from within the university, ranging from undergraduate to doctoral studies. The team invites students to join year-round, and no particular skills are required except the ability to work hard and learn fast. If you want to join, contact us!
At the bottom of their page
734-764-2257
240A Wilson Center
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109
You should be able to apply through the website, I think.
edit: just send an email to [email protected]
So, Iowa State is basically saying that if they had more confidence in their setup, they would've been right there with us. That's pretty weak. That's like saying "I did great right up to the point where my engine blew up". This is a competition of preparedness as well as execution. Always remember this Iowa State: The view never changes unless you're the lead dog.
You would think a group of engineers would realize that they still lost even after adding the 20 lap advantage that they are suggesting Michigan gained.
Or maybe that's their point. "We lost, but we would have lost by less."
FSGP is mostly prelude to inspect the cars, get some track time, and set the starting grid for ASC. ASC is the main event (with the Stanley Cup sized trophy). Dominance at FSGP is generally not Michigan's goal.
I didn't realize this was more of a qualifying session than an actual race. It's still good to see that we seem to have most of the bugs worked out already and the team should be able to make some minor tweaks to get maximum performance at ASC.
Seems like the quote from the ISU folks only cements the fact that the UM team is the benchmark they're striving for. There's a hint of "smack" there but also a srong acknowledgement that when you're "neck and neck" with Michigan you're really accomplishing something that "getting noticed by Michigan" is a great thing. At least that's how I read it...
Every UM Solar Car ends in "um". They had to throw ISU in theirs.
I agree, "smack" was a little strong. However, UM Solar is the benchmark with 6 overall ASC wins including the last four in a row. If I were on ISU's team, I would be encouraged. However, as we all know, the ASC is much different than the FSGP.
By the way, for those asking about Sparty's car, Brasidius III, here it is:
Their willing ness to keep coming back and failing over and over again is kind of inspiring.
They're not quitters, that's for sure. They're also at a serious disadvantage to most other teams. They have a shoestring budget and very little support from the University and the surrounding business community. Someone mentioned that they're unsing an old UM drive train which UM Solar gave to them. I cannot atest to the voracity of that statement but it wouldn't surprise me (there's a lot of sharing within the solar car community). I would hope that Purdue and Illinois with their engineering/math/science programs would jump into the fray. So far, they have shown no inclination. Even Northwestern has a car that does pretty well (except this year when they cracked their suspension during the brake test - scrutineering).
...that your voracity is unverified?
Something like that, yes. =D
Purdue had a team in 2005, but I think they failed to qualify. I have no idea about years previous to that, but I can't recall seeing a car from them since. Chances are when the race had a funding crisis between 2005-2008 their team disbanded and never got resurrected.
3 In a row. They haven't won this one yet!
According to the Team's web site, four in a row (2005, 2008, 2010, 2011). They also won in 1990 and 1993. LINK
The more I look into the History, that may not be right. Although, the Team says it has won the ASC six times and is shooting for number 7. As a former Team member, you know better than I.
Should be called Little Brotheridus III
You should see the previous iterations. Better yet, you should have heard the one that was at the FSGP in Indy. Not. Good.
Hopefully MSU can get their team more support - MSU's Formula SAE team is pretty good, so it's not like any MSU student engineering project is doomed.
They seem to focus on changing the canopy every year. I'm not sure why and I'm not sure why it continues to get bigger and (seemingly) less aerodynamic. Perhaps the SAE guys aren't into electric power. But, it would seem that there are enough engineers, at MSU, to present a better car.
Interesting how Western Michigan qualified that high while other world renowned engineering schools like MIT and GT did not do well. Obviously (and not surprisingly) funding and resources for these programs are critically important to success.
How do you upload a photo?
Right click on the image and select "copy image location"
Click the Image icon in the Toolbar (above the text editor window).
Paste the image location in the URL text box and provide alternate text. Click OK.
BTW, this is Brasidius I, MSU's first car. And, yes, the beer pong table reference is duly noted.
Lets cram our solar car full of angles instead of curved surfaces, because we all know how aerodynamic angles are!
But they do have the cute blonde girl. They will always have that.
There have been, and currently are, some cuties on UM Solar's team, too. Purely from an intellectual standpoint, of course.......... Brendan Gibbons would approve.
Pics or they don't exist