 |
| Students race electric vehicles at Lime Rock Park. |
By Ashley Hermance
SEYMOUR - The Seymour High School Alternative Energy III class and Electrathon Car Club, led by Technology Education teachers Joseph Perrucci and Michael Stock, participated earlier this month in the annual Electrathon race at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville.
Schools from all over New England
participated in the race showing off their abilities to design and build an
electric vehicle.
The vehicles themselves were unique in terms of engineering, design, speed, and
maneuverability.
This year Seymour High School raced both last year’s modified kit-based car #424 driven by Andrew Gavin and Cory Spooner as well as this year’s newly designed car #422 driven by Brennen Rudy and Franklin MacDonald.
Car #424
had been in two previous races in October and May of 2013, placing second and then
first in the Novice Division. Both vehicles were moved up to Expert or Classic
Division in which we competed against some schools who have had several years
of racing experience.
 |
| Kit-based car #424 competing at Lime Rock. |
This year Seymour High School raced both last year’s modified kit-based car #424 driven by Andrew Gavin and Cory Spooner as well as this year’s newly designed car #422 driven by Brennen Rudy and Franklin MacDonald.
 |
| Car #422 races along the track. |
The first
eight months of the 2013-14 school year were spent designing and building the new
race car #422. The designs were first created using a computer aided drafting
and design (CADD) program called Solid Works.
Some parts, such as mounting brackets, were also designed in Solid Works then printed on our 3D printers and mounted in order to test the fit. After that we custom fabricated the chassis and a majority of other parts at Seymour High School.
Everyone in the Car Club and the Alternative Energy 3 class had to prepare for the race by making sure both cars were all ready to go before race day. We had to test the two cars to see if there was anything wrong with them and make any necessary modifications.
Some parts, such as mounting brackets, were also designed in Solid Works then printed on our 3D printers and mounted in order to test the fit. After that we custom fabricated the chassis and a majority of other parts at Seymour High School.
Everyone in the Car Club and the Alternative Energy 3 class had to prepare for the race by making sure both cars were all ready to go before race day. We had to test the two cars to see if there was anything wrong with them and make any necessary modifications.
Race day
started at 7:45 a.m.when the team arrived at Lime Rock Racetrack. The cars were
unpacked from the trailers and put up onto jack stands to prep before the 10 a.m. practice laps. Both the cars passed through all seven inspection tests;
Inspection included electrical, stability, sizing (weight of driver and
ballasts).
After inspection, students put in the practice batteries for both cars and got the cars onto the track. The practice ended at 10:30 a.m.
The pit crew for the newest car, #422 that was racing in the first heat, had to prepare the car to race by putting race batteries in and then making sure the driver was secure and safe. The first heat began at 11:11 a.m., and Seymour was able to maintain a consistent time for each lap which kept us in a great position for the standings.
Some of the other teams had to make several pit stops during this heat, but not Seymour. The second heat started at 1:19 p.m. During this heat we were racing our old car, #424. It did not have any mechanical issues unlike many of the other teams, ending with a solid standing as well.
The new car, #422, placed 3rd in a field of 36 cars with 47 laps. Car #424 placed 4th out of a field of 36 cars with 46 laps. It was quite the impressive feat to have both cars finish so well against such great competition.
Innovation on display
After inspection, students put in the practice batteries for both cars and got the cars onto the track. The practice ended at 10:30 a.m.
The pit crew for the newest car, #422 that was racing in the first heat, had to prepare the car to race by putting race batteries in and then making sure the driver was secure and safe. The first heat began at 11:11 a.m., and Seymour was able to maintain a consistent time for each lap which kept us in a great position for the standings.
Some of the other teams had to make several pit stops during this heat, but not Seymour. The second heat started at 1:19 p.m. During this heat we were racing our old car, #424. It did not have any mechanical issues unlike many of the other teams, ending with a solid standing as well.
The new car, #422, placed 3rd in a field of 36 cars with 47 laps. Car #424 placed 4th out of a field of 36 cars with 46 laps. It was quite the impressive feat to have both cars finish so well against such great competition.
Innovation on display
This event
was an incredible display of innovation and creativity. Teams applied engineering,
physics, electrical, fabrication, manufacturing, and mechanical skills to
create the electric vehicles. Students will review the race day events and
will begin to collaborate on new ideas, designs and techniques for a brand new
car that the Alternative Energy III class and the Car Club will be building for
the May 2015 spring race.
The class and after-school club has made a difference by improving the academic performance and overall attitude of many of those involved.
All current materials and equipment was purchased through the Connecticut Department of Education’s Innovation Grant and Perkins Grant which is funded via the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.
Several local companies and individuals have supported the new #422 vehicle. We would like to thank JW Racing, Communication Systems, Nu-Age Designs, Richard Kearns Junior, Southwood NAPA Auto Parts, and David Tuttle.
Anyone seeking further information about the program or how they could assist the program are asked to contact Assistant Principal Paul Lucke, 203-888-2561 ext. 1100.
If you are interested in supporting this great program and would like to check out the cars in person visit us June 1 at our booth at Seymour Founders' Day.
The class and after-school club has made a difference by improving the academic performance and overall attitude of many of those involved.
All current materials and equipment was purchased through the Connecticut Department of Education’s Innovation Grant and Perkins Grant which is funded via the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.
Several local companies and individuals have supported the new #422 vehicle. We would like to thank JW Racing, Communication Systems, Nu-Age Designs, Richard Kearns Junior, Southwood NAPA Auto Parts, and David Tuttle.
Anyone seeking further information about the program or how they could assist the program are asked to contact Assistant Principal Paul Lucke, 203-888-2561 ext. 1100.
If you are interested in supporting this great program and would like to check out the cars in person visit us June 1 at our booth at Seymour Founders' Day.
A big thanks to Seymour High School Junior Ashley Hermance for contributing this article and photos.
No comments:
Post a Comment