2012 FSAE Australasia Competition Day 8

Day 8 which is technically day four of competition is the day that determines who will win the competition, with the big point scoring event endurance / fuel economy being held today. Traditionally it has always rained during endurance with CMT taking advantaged of this last year. While enduro / fuel economy are two separate events the scores are combined.

Currently CMT has 175pts out of a possible 275pts for the events of cost, presentation, acceleration and skidpad which is very good. Autocross I would expect to produce some very good points at least 50, and design I would expect at least 100pts. So CMT current position is very good.

Endurance we expect to produce some very good points here as our car is fast and last year we were in the top 5 cars for endurance. Fuel economy on the other hand we are not expecting to get that many pts. So I would expect pts of around 200 for enduro/fuel economy.

During the night the endurance run order which is also the autocross placing order, and we are 7th. For endurance they have four cars on the track at the same time, so we will be in the second set of cars to go out on the track. Endurance is the only dynamic event that has a run order and if you miss your spot you will incur a two minute penalty.

Apologies for the lack of photos today, I was helping out with recording the times for drivers.

6:30am Wake Up

The plan had been to get everyone to comp bright and early around 7:30 to get enough time finish off the suspension set up started yesterday before we were evacuated. Today should be a lot cooler than yesterday with temperatures around 20degrees as oppose to 37 degrees yesterday.

We left Kimgara Park and headed for competition.

9:15am Endurance / Fuel Economy - First Session

To allow enough time for the electric cars to recharge there batteries, the electric cars were out on the track first in the first session and last in the second session. Therefore this would give us at least an hour until we would be out on the track.

During some final checks over the car it was discovered that there were some loose items on the car, so before we headed out to the practice track we had to fix those items.

Above: Car undergoing its final inspection, before going out on the track

Above: Wes checking the steering system is securely fastened

This took slightly longer than anticipated, as well as Monash was having electrical problems and had missed there spot and unfortunately Auckland had to retire which was bumping us up the run order list. So to ensure that we don't miss our spot we headed straight to fueling and then to the endurance line. ECU was on the track and was producing some very fast lap times around 48second laps so the track is looking very fast.

The endurance track this year was a lot more open this year allowing for faster lap times, however a number of the drivers were having difficulties navigating the courses with a number of them going off course.

Our drivers were Wes and Stockton the plan for this session was to target fuel economy. Wes was our first driver and after warming up the car, the car was producing some fast lap times around 52seconds with clean runs, after a quick drivers swap Stockton hopped in the car and was also producing some quick lap times however was not as clean with some laps collecting numbers of cones.

Above: In line waiting for enduro, Wes in driver seat

Above: In line for enduro, Stockton checking over the cars performance



Above: Wes flying around the endurance track



After endurance finished next stop fuel station to refuel, this year we used 3kg of fuel, slightly less than last year.

Above: Refueling after endurance to determine how much fuel we used.

Above: The car getting refuelled after endurance

Completing this endurance and fuel economy session marks the third time in a row CMT has successfully completed all dynamic and static events. This is a huge effort.

After the car was taken back to the pit bay, the guys inspected the car for any damage as well as looked through the logs to see if the engine and cooling systems were functioning correctly.

Autocross results were published with CMT coming 7th with 72.84 pts which is a very good score.

Above: Autocross times and scores

1:15pm Endurance / Fuel Economy - 2nd Session

Shay and Penna were our drivers for the second session with there aim to push the car to the limit and see how fast the car could go.

Above: Fueling up before the second heat of enduro, Shay observing

Shay started out well, however encountered some difficulties with shifting and unfortunately at the drivers swap we were forced to retire due to the clutch handle coming off.

Above: Shay flying around the track during enduro

5:00pm Presentation

This year Claude Rouelle, from Optimum G was a design event judge at competition, unfortunately or rather luckily for Penna he did not judge our car, provided some commentary on the competition and were he thought we as a competition could improve.

For the second year in a row and also for the same event we were awarded 2nd place for the acceleration event.

7:00 Results Released (Unofficial)

This year the results were released straight after the somewhat long presentation ceremony, with CMT coming 7th overall with 617pts both of which are the best placing and the most amount of pts. scored - well done guys. Also CMT scored 125pts. in design event which is also a record for us so well done guys.

ECU came second overall and took out endurance - well done guys I am sure you guys will win it next year.

2012 FSAE Australasia has come to a close, with the team attending a car swap day tomorrow.

This years competition has been one of the most competitive and interesting competitions with the final placings being determined only on Sunday afternoon. A huge thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters without your help we would be here, to the team an awesome effort this year guys keep up the good and we look forward to heading towards a top 5 finish for next years competition.

Above: CMT-12 Team - missing our awesome technicians Derek, Dave and Graeme

Regards,

Candice Woodhams

Ex CMT Member