2013 Powerdrive Monthly Reports
January
This year we have two students in Powerdrive that have been previously been in the program. This year we are planning to make the one car that we raced last year better. The first things we are working to modify are the brakes, a new way to mount the canopy, and designing a new way to hold the weights in the car. On the canopy we have to little pins that you have to pull when you get out of the car and it comes off. This year we want to make two latches that secure it better so it does not rattle around. The way of mounting the weights in the car are just bolting them in from the bottom of the seat. The new way we want it to be is were we do not have to pull the seat out every time we got to get them out. Also want to put some different bolts in the seat so the seat does not feel like it is going to fall out. We are looking at new brake designs in hopes of improving our breaking efficiency.
February
The last month we have made some improvements on the things that we wanted to improve on. We have just a little more that we want to work on and the improvements will be done. This next month we are planning on trying to get some businesses to donate some money so we can buy some new batteries for the car this year. The way we are going to approach this is if they donate and we will put their business name on the car. We also have been thinking on a new design for a new car. The designs that we have thought of so far is making the car like a needle. So the driver is almost laying down all the way and can still see out. Our first race that we are going to is in West Point at the Fair Grounds. It is on Saturday April 27, 2013 and starts at 10:00 am. We hope to see you out there cheering us on!
March
We have made major improvements on the brakes this month. One thing that have really improved on is making the brakes move more smoothly and not so rough when you apply the brakes. Also on the canopy we have it so it will not rattle at all and made the car more aerodynamic. The reason why it is more aerodynamic is because it fits so sung on the car the air can not go through the edges. Also the seat is now secured in the car a lot more safer and more efficient. We have also started making a prototype of the new car that we just designed. The prototype is about to be done and hoping to start making the pieces for the frame towards the end of the next month. Do not forget we got a race April 27 at 10:00 am. We are hoping to see you all out there!
