Written by Mark Mcalary
Track Day 11-07-2024
The UOW Motorsport Team arrived early at Sydney Motorsport Park for the last track day for the holidays!
This track day was to develop the skills of the potential driver for the FSAE Competition at the end of the year.
The first run involved our experienced driver (EP), setting the benchmark for the other drivers to match or exceed. After a shakedown, the team conducted a track walk, discussing key details such as optimal racing lines, throttle and braking points, and important track features to be mindful of throughout the day.
The testing proceeded with four potential drivers, and the format for the day featured elimination rounds. The first two runs served as eliminations, with the slowest drivers being phased out. A minor delay occurred due to a marshalling error that led to one driver completing an extra lap, but this allowed the team to observe the driver’s potential under different circumstances thereby gaining some valuable but expected data.
After an additional round, the team finalized the three drivers for the rest of the testing. A unique element of the day was the use of “blind” power settings, where drivers were unaware of the vehicle’s power levels. Midway through the sessions, the team increased the power to challenge the drivers further, testing their ability to adapt and control the vehicle under more demanding conditions.
The day continued with multiple 5-lap endurance runs, allowing the team to gather a wealth of data to analyze. In the later stages, the two slower drivers were given another opportunity to improve their times and catch up to the faster drivers.
The team pushed the car to its limits, running it until the battery was fully depleted, marking the end of a highly productive day filled with valuable insights and progress.
