Dennis Grant Far North Racing ProSolo Lessons Learned for a Formula SAE Team

Dennis Grant Racing Resume 1997 Detroit Regional G Stock 1998 ProSolo G Stock 1999 ProSolo E Street Prepared 2000 ProSolo Street Modified 2001 ProSolo Street Modified 2002 ProSolo Street Modified 2003 ProSolo Street Modified

Dennis Grant National Level Autox vs FSAE Surface usually concrete, not asphalt Course is wider, with fewer cones Average turn radius larger Tends to mean much faster overall (peak speeds in an SM car ~ 120 kmh)

Dennis Grant ProSolo vs “Amateur” Solo More runs (12 on 2 courses vs 6 on 2 courses) Head-to-head vs one at a time Standing start with a dragstrip tree Challenges on Sunday (if you qualify) Series points for both classes and Challenges Pays Money! (in theory)

Dennis Grant Typical ProSolo Course Layout

Dennis Grant The Car - Performance 1997 Eagle Talon Tsi AWD 2 litre turbocharged Mitsubishi 4G63 ~ 350 HP 0-60 MPH in 3.6 seconds 1/4 mile in 1.2 lateral G, peaks to lbs empty

Dennis Grant Street Modified Rules Start with a production car Unlimited driveline Unlimited suspension using OEM chassis attachment points Chassis must remain stock (roll cage allowed) Some oddball allowances (seats, hood) DOT approved R-compound tires

Dennis Grant The Car - Technology EFI Computer by GEMS (AEM EMS) Data Logger by Edelbrock Turbo by Garrett/Forced Performance Carbon fibre driveshaft Shocks by Bilstein/Fox Transmission by TRE and Quaife Suspension Model by WinGeo3

Dennis Grant

Lessons Learned Fully half of what you try is wrong Why guess when you can know? Doing things right ONCE is far cheaper than doing it half-assed multiple times Performance is 1/3 car, 1/3 tire, and 1/3 driver Driving is a learned skill, not an ability

Dennis Grant FSAE Observations Most cars seem to have never turned a wheel in anger until the day of the event Drivers lack experience not just in the car, but in competition driving AT ALL A basic car with a good driver will beat a starship with a monkey at the helm How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Dennis Grant Other Observations The design of any car starts with the rulebook Make a plan and follow it Separate operational tasks/staff from engineering - but keep them communicating! Assume Murphy’s Law is in full effect and plan accordingly

Dennis Grant Still More Observations Consider tuning the car for each sub- event Beware the clique! Social skills apply Above all, HAVE FUN!

Dennis Grant Questions & War Stories

Dennis Grant Other Resources RaceCar Engineering Magazine Race Tech Magazine Circle Track Magazine