Here we are on our way to Lincoln. Our vision of Kansas and Iowa has been that of endless flat wheat fields. Since leaving Abilene, Kansas we’ve seen very little wheat and only some corn fields. The terrain is green rolling hills. Very pretty. We arrived in Lincoln and checked into a very nice campground for a 3 night stay. Our reason for coming here is to attend the Formula SAE competition. This is a competition where teams of Engineering students from various colleges build a car to specifications (the formula) and this competition is where they see how well they did. Our grandson, Chris is on the Auburn team, and we were pleased and proud to be there to cheer them on. The students build the car from scratch, except for the engine, wheels, and other items, but the frame, suspension, body, etc., they build. They do machining, welding, and body fabrication. This competition has gotten to be a big deal, and corporate sponsors are now readily helping out with stuff and money. Here is the Auburn car. The competition is not only based on the performance of the car. The team has to go through a design competition where they have to justify the various design features of the car, and do a sales presentation from the standpoint of the financial benefits of producing the car for retail manufacture. Other tests of the car itself include tilting the car 60 degrees to see if anything leaks, a braking test to see if all wheels lock up, and a noise test. All this activity is held at the Lincoln Air Park, with acres of concrete. Auburn had the distinction of having the highest flag at their ‘paddock’. I heard there were 88 teams here, although some didn’t bring cars. They came for the experience to prepare for future competitions. There were teams from 7 other countries including Japan, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada. Germany won the competition in Detroit in May. The teams bring their cars and support stuff in trailers of various levels of pizzazz. Some average trailers. The team from Honda Tech in Japan rented this truck/trailer and big bus to bring them here. Cars are moved around from area to area by pushing with an apparatus that hooks on to the roll bar. Some had pretty ingenius push bars. When going to an event, the support cart also tags along, with tools and parts and whatever else that may be needed for repairs or tweaking. Grandson Chris discusses the car with Grandpa. Other Texas teams were there. UT Austin, UT Arlington (in the finals), UT San Antonio, North Texas, and Texas A&M. A&M set lap records in the Endurance Race on their first two laps, but the car faltered and eventually died, so they didn’t finish and got no score in this important event. In fact, only 50% of the 55 cars who entered the Endurance Race finished, and this is a high number over previous years. (Bear with us, all you non-techies, you had your libraries and Victorian homes!) Below is a short video of part of the Endurance Race. I'm sorry, but I didn't know that when you zoom in, the picture is blurry. But you can get the idea. Most of the cars in this clip have the big 'spoilers' or 'sails' at the back. There are mixed opinions about the utility of these, but the little Auburn car in this video does not have one. It's interesting to see all the zipping around of all the cars on the track. Like insects flitting around Some spectators were somewhat 'under-whelmed' with the Endurance Race. Even at this wholesome level of competition, there is what may be called ‘corporate espionage’ going on. After the race and Auburn is known to be a contender, other teams came to examine in detail (and take pictures) of what they could see of the car. In the photo below, Auburn’s last year car is on the left (brought along for spare parts) and even that is of interest to the ‘spies’. Watch out Andretti, new driver in town. Finally the presentation of awards. The team from Brazil took first place in every category with their electric car (they had the only electric car in the competition). Several awards were given and Auburn was only mentioned twice. We thought that was not a good omen, but in the end, when the overall winners were announced, based on accumulated points in all areas, Auburn took 2nd place!! Talk about proud!! When the last race is over and evening comes on, the flags are furled and trailers packed up for the trip home, the guys still have energy for some Frisbee. Being here for this event has been fun, interesting, and exciting. Seeing the dedication of these young people who have built these machines (spending many hours) and brought them to an event like this inspires new faith in this generation. They have solved real-time problems with diligence and exhibited good sportsmanship. We are so proud of them With happy hearts we'll leave Lincoln and head north to Pender, Nebraska. Even the facebookers don't know why we're going to Pender, so you will just have to ... stay tuned.
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