spartan racing october 2011
DESCRIPTION
Spartan Racing Newsletter, October 2011.TRANSCRIPT
An Spartan Racing newsletter for Sponsors, Faculty, Professionals, and Students
Volume 4 Issue 2
Writers and Editors: Ross Fraser, Matt Mohr, Manuel
Mangrobang, Robby Sampson
graduated this last spring but has not given up
on us. He attends many of the formula
meetings, volunteers at Laguna Seca with us and is right now
teaching a group of us how to weld. Viet joined the team in 2010
and left as the team welder, one of our machinists as well as com-
pleting the surface modeling for the body and intake systems on
SR-3, formula’s 2011 car. The thin walled steel of SR-3’s chassis
required a steady experienced hand and Viet was first to step up to
the task. The whole team agrees
that Viet holds an important place
on our team and that we are very grateful for all that he does.
Viet is currently doing exactly what many of us will be doing in the
future…looking for a job. He’s looking for a position where he can
utilize his new Mechanical Engineering degree and the skills he
learned with Spartan Racing. We wish him the best of luck.
Viet Le
Spartan Racing once again descended upon Mazda Raceway Laguna
Seca, this time for the eighth stop of the 2011 American Le Mans
Series. For many of us this was our first big race and we had an incredible time. Seeing such top
notch racing can make anyone fall in love with the sport. And if that wasn’t enough, with the help
of Dean Case of MAZDASPEED we were able to talk to Team Pelfrey of the Star Mazda Series
about the cars. They went on to win Sunday and take home the team title. Congratulations to them,
and we hope to see them next year.
Upcoming Events: October 13-16th Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Volunteering, Rennsport Reunion October 13 Fire by the Fountain San Jose State University Fountain by the Morris Dailey Auditorium Festival 4pm Fire Show 8pm
Spartan Racing Formula SAE team has made
tremendous strides during the month of Septem-
ber. We have seen more interest from new stu-
dents who want to participate in the team than
any other year. This indicator alone shows just
how much our program is growing, not just in
the eyes of the industry, but the University, fac-
ulty and students as well. We are confident that
this new interest will continue to grow and help
to maintain our program for many years to
come.
September is typically a very design-heavy
month, and this year was no different. The
majority of the major suspension and chassis
designs have been completed. All of the
necessary steel tubing and sheet metal has been ordered and we expect to begin chassis fabrication within
the next month.
The Powertrain systems are also well underway, with the team members beginning work on the engine, oil,
cooling, intake, exhaust, and the final drive system. The key designs new for this year include a completely
new dry sump engine lubrication system and electronically controlled variable length intake runners for
better high-RPM performance. We are also integrating a new stand-alone Megasquirt engine control (ECU)
unit for better engine tuning and performance.
The Composites and Aerodynamics Sub Team has been working hard at beginning to develop a new
undertray and diffuser for better airflow and downforce generation under the car. They are also working on
new a new sidepod design that will house the side-exit exhaust muffler.
New for this year as well is a separate Electronics and Control Systems Sub Team that is in charge of the
engine control systems, data acquisition, and the various electronics modules throughout the car. They will
begin assembling and working on the
new ECU once it arrives and have already
been hard at work
developing the central power distribution
module for all the systems on the car.
In the next month we expect to have
finished the major designs for the key
systems on the car. Manufacturing will
also begin on some of the systems that
will be tested on last year’s car, SR-3,
before going onto SR-4. Soon we move
from the club room to the shop and we
are very excited to finally start getting
After having disappointing results last year, Hybrid has renewed vigor with its new recruits.
They are very enthusiastic to learn and be part of the group. Hybrid now has an electrical
engineer, Alex Galiano, who is currently designing a gear indicator and a quasi sub-team for
suspension.
Since Hybrid has such limited resources, we have taken Formula’s proven SR-2 design and
have started making modifications to it to meet our goals. Hybrid’s number one goal has al-
ways been to build a lightweight vehicle and we believe that the nominal weight increase
caused by the hybrid components to the SR-2 design will help us maintain that goal.
The great people at Schneider Electric who sponsored the Orange County Choppers hybrid
motorcycle are now sponsoring us. They have not only opened their entire catalog for our
disposal, but have also given us several valuable contacts, including the engineer who
designed the electrical component of the motorcycle, Shawn Lawless, and Thunderstruck
who provided the electric motor and a123 batteries.
We are excited and confident for 2012 because of our new group of racers, sponsors and
design changes.
We decided the Spartan Racing Baja Team will be competing in the Baja SAE Wisconsin comple-
tion, June 7-10, 2012. We have seen an increase in interest and have recruited a number of new
members to our team and because of that we have a positive feeling about this year. The design for
this year's Baja is in its last stages, and once it is finalized we plan on beginning to build the frame
as quickly as possible to stay ahead of schedule. Everything will be re-designed and remade for
this Baja, even a new engine gener-
ously provided by Briggs and Stratton.
The 2011 Baja will be fixed soon with
the help of last year's members and
once it is operational it will be used as a
tool for driver training as well as design
help. The 2012 Baja is going to be a
combination of radical new ideas and
proven engineering concepts from
previous years.
is going to go through some serious changes that we expect will
help us greatly in competition. Improving on last year's design is
the goal; we plan on doing this by upgrading the differential. In
the last few years Baja utilized a spool, then a limited slip differential, and this year we plan to be
running a locking differential. In addition, we are designing a new shifting mechanism that will
fully enclose the gearbox and allow for smooth and reliable shifting. Inboard braking mounted on
the gearbox is also a possibility that may be seen on this upcoming Baja with the addition of cutting
brakes.
Messages from our SPARTAN RACING Alumni:
-communication -researching -problem solving -organization
Make a Difference
Become a Sponsor! Support project-based learning Many college students today graduate without the hands-on experience that they need to flourish in the work environment. Our program is the answer to this problem! Our students receive special training that puts them ahead of the curve in the professional sector. Through participating, they build real-world skills in: -leadership -project management -team work -critical thinking
Project-based learning is proven to produce students that are motivated, energized, and focused. Supporting our program provides our student members with opportunities to be the directors and managers of their own learning. Becoming a Sponsor means that you are fostering experiences that our students will never forget, as they learn knowledge by using it in exciting and challenging ways. Please join us in our advancement, we are prepared to present to you what our enriched relationship may hold.
“If you really commit to participating in SAE projects, you will raise the bar of your own expectations and performance. It takes a lot, but it’s about pushing yourself further. That’s what puts you years ahead of your peers.”
Johanna Knudsen EMC Test Engineer, Cisco Systems
“Today's automotive industry targets students from SAE International's Collegiate Design Series to be the next generation of young engineering professionals. From engineering and manufacturing principles to leadership, management, and team development, students who participate in these projects are prepared for any challenge that the industry has to offer.”
Randy Floresca Global Battery Systems Test Engineer,
General Motors
Account email: [email protected]
Thank You to our SponsorsThank You to our Sponsors