Endurance Photos |
Post Reply |
Author | |
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: Mar/06/2009 at 12:44pm |
Alrighty gang, here's some shots of the to-be-completed endurance track.
These shots were taken about 2 weeks ago when I was down there last to work on the track. Chicane about 0.15 miles from Hot pits |
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The 2nd image there is the first creek crossing on the track
Next we've got a much sharper chicane about 0.40 miles in. This gets very rutted. |
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Here we have one of the small banked turns. Despite it's size, you can definitely make a sweet passing move here in close quarters.
|
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Next up is the beginning of a 0.1 mile straightaway starting at 0.55 miles in. This was slightly widened from the 2006 race. A good place to wind it out.
|
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
(And by straightaway.... I mean, a gentle bend)
Anyways, here's a shot of the rock garden. This is at the end of the previous straightaway. The rocks are bigger, and there are some sharper rocks in there. THIN SIDEWALLS BEWARE. Consider this your warning. There are two decent lines through the rock garden, and I took both of them in a low-slung 2005 car with a little big of banging and bumping, but I did not lose traction at all. |
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Oh, and the rock garden will get longer than what's in the photo above...
Moving on... here's another straightaway that was widened since 2006. We are trying to balance technical driving with having enough real estate for 100 cars. It's a challenge! This is about 0.95 miles into the course. |
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Here's a chicane into one of the tougher hills on the track (through the trees). This area on the uphill has been widened slightly for more room to pass slower cars.
|
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Next up is a view from the cliff. It's approximately a 15 foot dropoff. "Cliff hasn't been right since the lunar war." (if you get it, you get it)
|
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
And fyi, the cliff is not safe to walk down... please go around if walking the course.
Now we've got a shot from just past the sandbox. We're doing some work behind this location, but this is where it gets very loose on you and you don't know it :D This location is about 1.45 miles into the course. |
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
After negotiating a very root-laden hairpin, you're welcomed by this bog.
|
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
After the bog, is skid road/skid row (either name is okay). It's been lengthened by approximately 30 feet. This is one of the most time and labor intensive obstacles. Cutting, skidding, sizing, and placing all require a crew of about 5 people.
Warning: Skid road will: 1) Break Suspensions 2) Break Steering 3) Test your dental insurance This obstacle goes to eleven. |
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
After skid road, you get a nice straightaway to the jump. But beware a sneaky dropoff in the middle. This is about 1.75 miles into the track.
|
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
This is the NCAT Short line. All 39 feet of it. The shortline doesn't run any trains, but it will ruin rims. Make sure you've got enough pressure in your tires! Consider yourself warned.
And to those who think railroad tracks are unrealistic ()... well.. they are. They're real. They're right here. |
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
After exiting the "Grandstand" area, you've got a thing we call the switch. If your car corners awesome, take the high line. If you've got a lot of traction, take the low line.
|
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
And, after this, is a hairpin turn, a short hill climb, and a fast, long, downhill to the funnel area where the finish line is. We're going to throw in more stuff as we move along.
Again, we're trying to make the track fast, flowing and technical, to reward good drivers, and make good obstacles to reward well built cars. This also has to be balanced with the fact that we're going to have 100 teams here (worst case) so we are trying to make things as wide as possible where we can to allow more passing. There will be a few things I won't post up on the forums that you'll have to see when you get here. They won't be deal breakers, but should add more fun. Also, I'm going to try and have the guys going this weekend to get some slope information for the steepest part of the track so it can help you pick a gear ratio. Given the open straightaways and long hills, a 2 speed shift on the fly box wouldn't be a bad idea! Thanks again, Darrell Endurance Captain |
|
AlexW
Bolt Sorter Joined: Feb/24/2009 Location: Knoxville Status: Offline Points: 12 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Sounds like a challenging course! Is it the same length as the old track? Something like 2 miles, right?
Alex |
|
Alex Wilkins
Co-Captain, Team Tennessee apcsi.utk.edu/sae |
|
kruegdr
Milling Master Train Master Joined: Oct/22/2008 Location: Lawrence, KS Status: Offline Points: 52 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Given the realignments, I think it will come back to being about 2.1 miles. I have to go back through and add mileposts.
|
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet
|
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |