Reality Is Setting In

As a team we are working at a rapid pace to figure out the design of the car. Also, this is making us realize that we are approaching a stretch of time where we need to accomplish things. A huge thing that we need to get done is purchase metal, and start frame work on the car. There are only 5 months that we have to work. It seems like a long time but it is very short. Constructing the car cannot be rushed in anyway. We have to carefully, and skillfully construct the car. We only have 45 minutes everyday to put work into the car so things get looked over, and skipped. The team will hopefully get out to the local businesses to get some sponsorship from local businesses. Still the main focus has been on the full scale drawing that we have been working on. We will remember not to weld with the paper under the car this year. To say the least, our blue print from last year was gone. Its all just a learning experience, and a whole lot of team work.

The Ball Is Rolling

The team has started off this month by making a full scale drawing of the car. We have split up into two groups, and we will talk about the pros and cons of each design. We may choose one design completely or mix the ideas together. We do not have metal in our possession so in that aspect you could speculate that we are falling behind. Everyone knows that we need to start buying, and constructing the car. We do not want to fall victim to the same thing that happened last year. We are aware but we are trying to construct the best possible car. The ideas that have been designed have many good things about each. Now it is time to make this car. We have a couple of months and then the races will start. Our team is going to come out strong, and bring the competition this year. We have a good team with their sights set on winning.

Team #2 Works On Full Scale Model Blueprint

Team #1 Works On Full Scale Model Blueprint

Wind Tunnel In Action

Wind Tunnel Work

Demolition Day

This week there has been a lot going on. Last years car is getting torn apart. We as a team have decided to keep many of the parts. There is nothing left but the frame of the car. To say the least we learned a lot of things from taking apart the car. Every aspect of the car was debated about. From last year there were many things that can be refined. The team is making note of that. Hopefully soon we will be able to go around town to find sponsorship for our car. We are hoping this method of splitting up into groups will promote the goal of the class. We are not only learning about technology but we are also learning about alternative energy. We are planning to start building as soon as possible this year.

Progress Is Being Made

This week we have been working hard. Everyone has been searching for parts on websites, and we are building a wind tunnel. The wind tunnel will be demonstrating aerodynamics on our straw models. It will tell which car has the best. That is what we are looking for in a car. We need a car that can slice through the air with ease. Soon we are splitting up in teams, and asking around town for sponsorship. We are in need of money right now to supply the team with parts, and metal.

Wind Tunnel Assembly

Changes Are Everywhere

   For the past week we have been working on our models. They all have taken shape, and we are starting to cover them with materials. Regular paper is aluminum, paper machete is fiber glass. We have two groups using a the paper machete, and in the final racing car it would be fiber glass. The other group is making their car covering out of the regular paper. It will be aluminum on the finished product. After this we will decide what is best for the car. We will pick out the design which fits the criteria for a well made car. It will all be a long process but it is a learning experience.

Straw Model Construction In Progress

Construction Underway

Today, we are making models of the car. Each team member is drawing a scale model, and then they will build it with circular paper straw. This will give us an idea what our car will look like. Our group will then decide which model they like the best. Mr. Sherwood, the instructor, has given us the resources to build our knowledge in building of the car. Many of the videos were not the most fun thing in the world, but it gave us the necessary knowledge to make the best possible car. In the discussions we have pointed out the imperfections in last year’s car. Everyone at least knows what they shouldn’t do now. Hopefully, we will be able to rise to the top this year, and escape the novice division. That is one of our main goals this year.

Ackerman Angle

Mr. Sherwood explaining to the team how to measure the Ackerman angle. This is very important for the steering.

Consolidating Powers

Today, we are going to make a short walk out to the shop. We are going to see what is going to be our center of gravity. Our instructor, Mr. Jim Sherwood, gave us an opportunity to watch videos about center of gravity. Believe me, no one in the class could resist. Everyone was pretty excited to gain more knowledge so we can apply it to our car. Lately we have been trying to get sponsors. Some of the kids have already gotten sponsorship for our car. It is going to give us an advantage being able to buy supplies really early this year. The sooner we get our car built, the better. Our team will be able to tweak, and work out all the kinks in our car. We would like to thank our sponsors that our supporting us. Without your support, this program would not be available for us. 

Up, Up, And Away

We are finally getting into the aerodynamics section of making our car. The team watched a film about how we can make the most aerodynamic car. It is very helpful to obtain this knowledge so that we may apply it in the race. It will maximize our laps per race, and that is always a plus. We have made flyers to give to possible sponsors. The team also has picked places that they want to go to ask for sponsorship. We will need all that we can get. The money that we will get will go into building materials, tools, and supplies for the car. It is a long process to order the supplies. Finding some of the items can be easy but others can take quite a long time. It will be easier this year since we know what we are looking for. We will keep the updates coming all year!

Reaching Our Potential

The class has been working on getting sponsorships for the car and drawing possible models for the car. We watched Elkhorn's sponsorship video. From this, we learned a lot on how the video should be put together. We are going to put more time into it this year and try to get as many sponsors as possible. Everyone in the class has drawn a model for what they think the car should look like. There were many different kinds. Some had a rounded front tip that went into a tear drop, others had a teardrop front, and a small rounded back. One thing we know for sure is that we want to have a tear drop design. We will debate on which one we think will be the best design. We are going for aerodynamics this year. Last year, everything was rushed. We didn't have much time to be aerodynamic. That will change this year. We have accepted the challenge to make the best possible car that we can.

Working on a Possible Design

Start of a New Year!

   We are starting a new year here at West Point - Beemer High school. So far we are educating our new classmates. We have been watching videos, and discussing what we need to change from the past season. We are finding out many mistakes that we have made. The whole team is using it as constructive criticism though. Mr. Sherwood has decided that we will try, and start constructing a bit earlier this year. Hopefully, we won't have to make a mad rush to finish everything like last year. Also, every new student has been initiated into the program by getting to drive around in the N-74. To sum up that day, everyone had a lot of fun. Many long, and stressful months are ahead of us. We would like to wish all the area Power Drive teams good luck this year!