Far North Racing

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Far North Racing

• ProSolo Lessons Learned
• for a Formula SAE Team

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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

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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)

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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)

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Typical ProSolo Course Layout
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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 12.4 _at_106
• 1.2 lateral G, peaks to 1.6
• 2800lbs empty

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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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 Murphys Law is in full effect and plan
  accordingly

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Still More Observations

• Consider tuning the car for each sub-event
• Beware the clique! Social skills apply
• Above all, HAVE FUN!

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Questions War Stories
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Other Resources

• http//farnorthracing.com
• http//streetmodified.org/books.html
• RaceCar Engineering Magazine
• Race Tech Magazine
• Circle Track Magazine
• http//www.scca.org
• http//www.detroit-scca.org