Thanksgiving

A friend of the IEP had invited many of us over to have an American Thanksgiving in Germany. I made two cheesecakes, a Nutella cheesecake and a Bailey's Irish Cream cheesecake. There was an amazing turkey wrapped and baked in bacon, many sides and as with every Thanksgiving, never enough stuffing. It was a great time with great friends being thankful for this experience, and wishing well to our family back home.

Lions Racing Team - 15. Nov 2010

I dropped by the garage to help out a bit and hang out. Here are some pictures of today's progress.

I installed the exhaust today

front suspension

Steering wheel

Only half the R-comp tires are shown

Some older Formula Karts

Last shots

School Started - Lions Racing (Formula Kart)

Not much to report other than Classes starting. It is quite hectic and some lectures seeminglz are delayed. I am thinking about dropping Linear Algebra (not required for my major) to concentrate more on practicing German. My Grundlagen der Fahzeugtechnik (Fundementals of automotive engineering) class seems relatively easy...except for the brick wall that is language. I understand concepts but not vocab. I have to concentrate pretty hard to do well.


I find my German comprehension has improved greatly, but I still struggle to make random conversation. It is very difficult for me and I sometimes get discouraged to see so many others improving conversationally.


I joined the Formula Kart team. Meetings are full of logistical planning, business proposals and sponsorship planning. A couple get togethers with reps from Continental and VW and team . They have a stack of R comp tires that Conti sends them to test out various compounds. The previous cars used primarily GSXR600 motors with pneumatic shifting. Every year they build new cars, new parts, everything from scratch. They ADD anti-lock brakes. They machine the parts themselves. They cast their own knuckles. They make their own fuel. They lay out carbon fiber body's, they weld tubular chassis. It's a perfect collaboration between Mechy's, Chemy's, and Electrical Engineering. And there's 8 of these cars laying in their garage....because their budget and sponsorships allow them to start new every year.


I'm glad I can work on this project with them even if it's probably minimal engineering on my end. Language barrier is still a bit tough for me. I understand things well, but lack the vocab to respond. This  year is the first year they are going all electric. I hope to help out with suspension design/handling but may also help out with gearbox design.


General Specs of the year 2008 LR08 (second place title in Germany 2008):


DIN power at the crank: 67 kW / 91 hp.
DIN-torque at the crank: 53 Nm


Engine:
Water-cooled inline four-cylinder motorcycle engine from the Suzuki GSX-R 600 (model 2004)
Capacity: 599 cc
Engine management: Motec
Compression ratio: 13.5:1
Modified camshafts
Dry sump lubrication


Powertrain:
Sequential 6-speed motorcycle transmission, electro-pneumatic clutch and released
Visco-Lock Differential
Rear wheel drive


Body:
Tubular steel frame
Weight: 28.3 kg
Hollow nodes


Chassis:
anti-parallel double wishbones front and rear
Mountain-spring-damper units, more than pushrods articulated in train and rebound adjustable
Sword-stabilizer on the rear axle
Wheelbase: 1525mm
Front axle track width: 1310 mm
Rear axle track width: 1185 mm
Front Continental 195/500 R13
Rear axle Continental 245/500 R13


Electronics:
self-developed telemetry system (potentiometers)
Live data transmission in the Box
Multifunction steering wheel in carbon with integrated LCD
Wiring harness sealed to IP67
Race ABS