First some good news.  We won the class 1(200) sprint, acceleration and skid pan events along with the presentation event.  The team came third in design.  All in all a fantastic result for the team that we should all be proud of.

Today was the endurance race.  We waited until mid-afternoon for our turn.  It was threatening rain all day but held off.  But, just as the words 'out comes car 241, Cardiff University)' came out of the PA system, it started to rain.  Rich went out on cold tyres and coped with the slippery conditions having two minor spins which he quickly recovered from.  After several blistering laps which included a battle with another car, Rich came in for a driver change.  Our resident Hippie (Ifan) went out.  Sadly, shortly after he started, the car stopped.  At this point I do not know what  caused the car to stop.

Despite this, the team should be very proud of everything they have achieved during a difficult year of change. The fantastic results in the static events and the sprint, acceleration and skid pan show what the team is capable of.

I'll try and post the cause of the failure if I can when I know it.

Afternoon everyone.  Sorry it has been a while, I’ve been stupidly busy.  We arrived on Wednesday and quickly settled into the campsite with the truck (yeah, I know, I’m brilliant for getting a huge truck with a microwave, toaster, kettle and a big tv). 

Thursday we had setup, the first attempt at scrutineering, design and the presentation.  The design event went really well, and the judges seemed impressed.  We were able to answer all their questions.  The presentation event also went well.  Then Sarah and the Hippie (Ifan) blitzed the presentation event.  The answers to the questions were outstanding and I was really impressed by them and the four ‘experts’ (Al, Mark, Ben and Rob).
 
We did however have a few very minor issues with scrutineering.  There were issues with the throttle height and other than that a few minor niggles, but we successfully got through!

Today we have been passing noise (109 decibels), tilt test and the brake test without any problem.  We have been on the Ricardo rolling road and have been able to increase the power in the mid range.

We have had to replace the chain this afternoon, but the team have pulled together and done it.  And I had to give an interview for a promotional dvd – I’m famous!

Finally, there will be a big lack of pictures this year, my camera phone died the other day.

Just a quick update.

We launched the car on Friday in front of sponsors, staff and invited guests.  We closed off a large chunk of the School of Engineering's car park and caused chaos.  But, the car looks great now it has it's stickers on.  There should be photos around somewhere, I'll try and put them up over the next few days if I can get my hands on the Cardiff Racing laptop.

The guys have been out testing for several days now, preparing for testing.  We have had a few minor issues that you will always get when you shakedown the car, but CR03b is sounding sweet. 

Right, better get on - I think I am buying lunch for the test team today...

Hello everybody!

I know it has been a while since I have updated this but we have been really busy getting the car ready for the event.

The 2007 car, CR03b is finally coming together after it’s final pre-event rebuild where all the last minute additions have been added, including the new improved nose cone which was commissioned by our passionate Welshman. 

The team have just returned from a karting trip with one of our partners, Arvin Meritor.  Unfortunately I couldn’t make it, but I have been told it was a good afternoon.

Next week will be a very busy week with testing, testing and more testing including a rolling road session.  At the end of the week there will be a launch of the car in Cardiff and it would be great to see as many people there as possible.  Contact us if you want to come.

I will do my best to update this as the event approaches and at the event if I get a second to do it.  We are working on getting some technology in our pit at the event, but no promises yet.

I hope to see you at the event,

Dave

Happy New Year everyone!

Well, I was going to update the blog about the weekend, but Al got there before me!  So instead I will write more about what we have been up to....

Despite the busy time we are having with exams we are making decisions about the event in July as registration opens next week. 

This weekend we’re off to the Autosport Show at the NEC in Birmingham with the car.  We will on the Motorsport Industry Association stand with the car on Saturday and Sunday.  Come along and say hi if you are going.  But if you read this often, you will know that since Al already said so!  :)

What else?  Both the work on CR03b and CR04 is progressing.  The suspension testing plan is coming along as are the ideas for the new chassis and engine.  The electronics groups are working hard on their fancy projects (ok, fancy isn’t technical, but the nickname for one of the teams is ‘the fancy electronics team' – you’ll see why at the event).  The four poster rig that we are building to test the car on is also nearly there.  Yo is still working on our fantastic new website which is looking good. 

The sponsorship and marketing team have been working really hard on our new sponsorship strategy which has already paying dividends with a new sponsor.  Once this has been finalised, we should be able to announce more.  I probably promised you a link to the most recent newsletter, so here it is. (pdf)

Right, I had better get on with working on some Cardiff Racing stuff revision.