Silverstone 2010
Last Updated on Thursday, 29 July 2010 22:33 Written by Ulrik Hartig Wednesday, 21 July 2010 17:12
Our project had come to an end. We have finished the car and competed in Formula Student UK at Silverstone track.
The last few weeks consisted of long day and night work on the car.
Here you can find a short description of what was happening for the last few days.
To September the Vikings will start designing the next car, The Viking IV
13/07/10
Last testing of the car was done. Drivers had the possibility to “feel” the car before Silverstone. In the late evening the car, spare parts and all kind of tools, electronic devices were packed in our rented van. The van left on the journey through Denmark, Germany and Netherlands to reach a ferry to UK and then drive more than 100 miles to reach Towcester in Northamptonshire where Silverstone Circuit is placed.
14/07/10
The following day was spent on packing and preparing to fly to UK. The team had flown to Stansted Airport and then drove rented Ssangyongs to Silverstone track campsite.
15/07/10
After very short sleep we entered the Silverstone circuit for the first time. We started with setting up our pit (5A) and registering our team at the event.
We were scheduled as number 47 for scrutineering – technical inspection of the car. We went quite fast through the first part, but later we were asked to make few small modifications to acceleration pedal and the way of locking brake caliper. We went straight away to fix these few issues, to be ready for next day’s re-srutineering.
16/07/10
On Friday all presentations were scheduled. We stared up with design judging – where we had to present our car and its engineering solutions. We got a very good feedback from the judges – as they said Viking III is a very big step forward and we should keep the pace of improvements in the next cars. After that we moved on to cost judging – where our car was judged regarding cost of manufacturing. This presentation went very well – our cost report was better even than the TU Munich (the wining team) and Stuttgart team. As the last one, there was the business presentation. We had to present a business plan for our car, as we would start its production.
In the mean time of the presentations our car went for re-scrutineering and passed with no problems. After that we attempt noise test – where noise level of the engine is tested – passed with no problems. In the tilt test the car was turned in an angle of 60 degrees to see if the car won’t roll at high speed corners. No problems with passing this one. The last job for the day was brake test – where the driver needs to lock all 4 wheels to prove the brake system is working well. We also passed this test without problems.
It was a long day, but now with all tests done we were allowed to drive the car and participate in the dynamic events.
17/07/10
In the early morning our drivers had to attend drivers briefing before driving the car. All teams had to go through skid-pad and acceleration test between 9:00 and 12:30. Each event needed to be driven by 2 drivers and each of them had 2 tries.
We went first for the skid-pad – unfortunately first try ended up outside the track and at the second engine had stalled. Now we rushed for acceleration test – unfortunately because too much wheel spin we ended up with time 4.89. As we changed drivers – decision was made to go to practice area first and practice more before entering the tests.
Our steering column was no rigid enough and because it was bending it was making steering very hard. As we entered skid pad the second time, he couldn’t reach higher speed because of hard steering, but at least we finished this test. Again we rusher for acceleration (as it was on the other end of Silverstone Circuit) and got in just in time before closing. Thanks to test the second driver improved the times and reached the best time of 4.612 s.
In the evening Sprint Event was held – driving one lap of prepared circuit to reach the best time. Because of our poor steering system – we achieved slow time of 1 minute 21 seconds. Something had to be done about the steering. Till late evening we were working on improving it – longer steering arms were made to make the steering lighter – as the next day each driver was suppose to drive 11 laps.
18/07/10
The big day of Endurance Event. We entered the second session of endurance. Everything was going good. The steering modification was working great – it was a lot easier to steer. We could see that also on the times our driver was making. After 11 laps there was a planned pit stop to change the drivers. We had to stop the engine to do that. Change drivers in 3 minutes and start the car. Unfortunately the engine wouldn’t start. After several tries we were asked to leave the track. This is how our race ended.
As we didn’t finish Endurance we didn’t get any point for it. Endurance is scored highest among all dynamic events – this is why we lost so many points on not finishing it. On the other hand we need to face the fact that only 28 teams of 76 had finished Endurance. This proved how hard it is to complete it.
SDU Vikings came back from Silverstone with no trophy but with lots of knowledge and experience. We have a lot of great ideas for next year car and we know how to what do we need to improve.
Here we – SDU Vikings Racing Team – would like to thank very much for all the support we got from our sponsors – either by providing us with free or discounted parts, or by supporting us with money. Without your help we couldn’t have completed the car and go to Silverstone.
