Written by Mark Mcalary
Track Day 24th October 2024
Our first Track Day at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP) with the new 2024 EV car marked a pivotal moment. The primary focus was torque vectoring testing and assessing the car’s performance in skidpad and endurance runs.
The day began with the initial shakedown at 8:30 a.m., where a driver conducted a thorough check of the car’s functionality. The session also included a brake test, involving the driver accelerating in a straight line and braking to lock all four tires. This ensured the brakes were functioning effectively for both competitive events and emergencies, and the test was passed successfully.
Following the shakedown, the focus shifted to skidpad testing and gathering data to evaluate potential drivers for the 2024 competition. Each driver contributed valuable feedback.
The first driver had a slower session, requiring multiple chain tension adjustments.
The second driver performed well, and adjustments to tire pressure significantly improved the car’s traction on the track.
The third driver participated in a blind torque vectoring test, driving without knowledge of setup changes to eliminate placebo effects. Torque vectoring adjustments during the test allowed the team to evaluate its effectiveness in order to determine the optimal application scale.
At around 11:00 a.m. adjustments were made to the front tires to increase the contact patch and enhance tire dynamics. The improvement was evident, with better handling observed during subsequent runs.
After completing the skidpad tests, the track was reconfigured for endurance testing. At noon, the car was charged in preparation for the next phase which was endurance runs. These runs were essential for gathering suspension data and driver feedback on handling and performance under extended conditions.
The Track Day was a major step forward in refining the performance of the 2024 EV car. Each test, adjustment, and session brought valuable insights, contributing to the car’s development and preparing the team for the challenges ahead.
