Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Rayce Day 11 - Finish line!
For those glued to the GPS tracking, you may have noticed an uneasy pause in the r3 Solar Car Team's forward progress in this morning's sprint stage. The Red River Raycer stayed put for 10 minutes or so at the start, buying themselves a little extra charging time since pulling in late the day before where it's been cloudy all throughout. They also avoided the traffic jam caused by all these over-excited solar car convoys.
No real worry though. The car was fine, and prepared to go. After the short self-imposed wait, the r3 convoy scattered about in chase of their competitors. From leaving the start line last, they quickly caught up to the tail end of the pack. There, they passed Queen's, then McMaster, then Illinois State, all the old fashioned way; on the road! Imagine the 3-car convoys, the trailing r3 convoy requesting a pass, then initiating lane changes, and slowly passing at minute speed differentials.
The sun came out to play after 10 AM, and the r3 car put some distance on its slower pursuers. Forty minutes before stage close time, the Red River Raycer crossed the finish line in Calgary. This team has done it! A solid performance through the entire second leg.
Preliminary results show them in 16th Overall, and 5th in Stock Class. University of Calgary, the other rookie and Canadian team, finishes 13th Overall and 9th in Class. But it should be reminded that the Red River Raycer Solar Car Team is a College entry, where the car was mostly built by Mechanical Engineering Technology students, where the members either have or will soon have a mere Diploma. This team is unique to the competition, and it ran with the best.
The project started only 10 months ago, and the team has travelled an incredible journey since. Any doubts on their performance in 2 years would be foolish. With wheel fairings, better tires, a more intelligent battery management system, and just plain more running, their fortunes will be infinitely better. The established Universities have better watch out for the r3 car to spoil their Stock Class rayce!
A little partying, and the boys can finally come home. You can bet they won't rest long before preparing for their next rayce!
No real worry though. The car was fine, and prepared to go. After the short self-imposed wait, the r3 convoy scattered about in chase of their competitors. From leaving the start line last, they quickly caught up to the tail end of the pack. There, they passed Queen's, then McMaster, then Illinois State, all the old fashioned way; on the road! Imagine the 3-car convoys, the trailing r3 convoy requesting a pass, then initiating lane changes, and slowly passing at minute speed differentials.
The sun came out to play after 10 AM, and the r3 car put some distance on its slower pursuers. Forty minutes before stage close time, the Red River Raycer crossed the finish line in Calgary. This team has done it! A solid performance through the entire second leg.
Preliminary results show them in 16th Overall, and 5th in Stock Class. University of Calgary, the other rookie and Canadian team, finishes 13th Overall and 9th in Class. But it should be reminded that the Red River Raycer Solar Car Team is a College entry, where the car was mostly built by Mechanical Engineering Technology students, where the members either have or will soon have a mere Diploma. This team is unique to the competition, and it ran with the best.
The project started only 10 months ago, and the team has travelled an incredible journey since. Any doubts on their performance in 2 years would be foolish. With wheel fairings, better tires, a more intelligent battery management system, and just plain more running, their fortunes will be infinitely better. The established Universities have better watch out for the r3 car to spoil their Stock Class rayce!
A little partying, and the boys can finally come home. You can bet they won't rest long before preparing for their next rayce!
Comments:
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A truly awesome team! What an amazing accomplishment. You have bestowed honour on yourselves and your college with your tireless efforts and you are to be commended.
# posted by 
: 4:21 pm
: 4:21 pm
Congratulations gentlemen, your accomplishments are truly a testiment of your knowledge,skills,perseverance and professionalism that makes us all proud.
Today is a great day for Red River College.
Great Job to all of the Red River College Raycer Team and their supporters.
Today is a great day for Red River College.
Great Job to all of the Red River College Raycer Team and their supporters.
# posted by : 4:38 pm
: 4:38 pm
Have a hell of a celebration. You really deserve it for all that you did. I am sure it feels pretty good.
# posted by : 7:09 pm
: 7:09 pm
I've been more captured by your amazing accomplishments despite all sorts of problems during this race than by the admittedly exciting race for the first finishers. The solar car world had better watch out for Red River in the next few years. Congratulations to all of you.
Parent of an MIT team member
Parent of an MIT team member
# posted by : 8:59 pm
: 8:59 pm
You are rookies no longer. Truly historic! Well done.
Bring it home!
Hartley Waldman
Bring it home!
Hartley Waldman
# posted by : 9:36 pm
: 9:36 pm
Team I want you know that you have proved that you can run with the best, and that you are the best!!!
Who can beat being a father for the first time and knowing the best solar car team in the world.
Who can beat being a father for the first time and knowing the best solar car team in the world.
# posted by : 10:18 pm
: 10:18 pm
Congradulations
Thank you for the lifetime experience to see the R3 team and Red River Raycer leave Austin, Texas as the "little red engine from Winnipeg that could "and welcome you in Calgary, Alberta as seasoned "solarnauts"
I am happy you and all the teams succeded the 4000 km international solar challenge safely.
"This is one small step for Red River College and a huge leap for Manitoba."
FYI The Australian World Solar Challenge is in October 2005. :)
Thank you for the lifetime experience to see the R3 team and Red River Raycer leave Austin, Texas as the "little red engine from Winnipeg that could "and welcome you in Calgary, Alberta as seasoned "solarnauts"
I am happy you and all the teams succeded the 4000 km international solar challenge safely.
"This is one small step for Red River College and a huge leap for Manitoba."
FYI The Australian World Solar Challenge is in October 2005. :)
# posted by : 12:25 am
: 12:25 am
I have had the distinct pleasure of promoting both the team and the car, and can honestly say that I have never been more excited and honoured to champion a cause.
Be proud of your many accomplishments - but more than that, be proud of the way you represented Red River College and Manitoba.
I can't wait to watch you race across North America in 2007.
Brilliant job!
Be proud of your many accomplishments - but more than that, be proud of the way you represented Red River College and Manitoba.
I can't wait to watch you race across North America in 2007.
Brilliant job!
# posted by : 8:37 am
: 8:37 am
Congratulations again. This is a really significant accomplishment and will have lasting impact on the college. We will all be looking back on your triumph for years to come. Well done!
Norman
Norman
# posted by : 8:40 am
: 8:40 am
Congratulations.What a breathtaking experience!!! You truly deserved the "Best Mechanical Award, the Best "KISS" award and the Best Workmanship Award".
See you soon here in Winnipeg.
From the family of R3 team member
See you soon here in Winnipeg.
From the family of R3 team member
# posted by : 2:41 pm
: 2:41 pm
Congradulations on the fuel economy category Green Cravan Award handed out on Thursday in Calgary.
# posted by : 4:12 pm
: 4:12 pm
Way to go guys! I almost threw my computer out the window when your GPS tracker froze with less than a mile to go, after 10 days with a GPS monkey on my back! Glad you made it, you did MET, RRC, Winnipeg, Manitoba and Canada proud! From what I hear, MET has full enrollment (& waiting list) for this fall, so take a bow for that too!
I hope plan B is to keep on given'r for 07!
Ed
P.S. Congrats Rob!
I hope plan B is to keep on given'r for 07!
Ed
P.S. Congrats Rob!
# posted by : 10:08 pm
: 10:08 pm
Very good race. You put Red River on the map. I'm sure that a lot of the US Universities didn't know before that Red River College existed.
A task well done.
Don
from Math Sci
A task well done.
Don
from Math Sci
# posted by : 11:59 pm
: 11:59 pm
Congrats guys especially my bro Philip. You acomplished your goal guys, and I'm proud of you!!:D
PEACE OUT!!
katrina
PEACE OUT!!
katrina
# posted by : 10:51 am
: 10:51 am
Thank you very much to RRC especially to Leon Fainstein for giving my son a chance to join the R3 team.
Congratulations to R3 team!!!
More Power to RRC and to Jeff.
C.Palazo
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Congratulations to R3 team!!!
More Power to RRC and to Jeff.
C.Palazo
# posted by : 1:19 am
: 1:19 am<< Home
