TFA (TeamFatAzero) has been working 24x7, melting Mastercards & "tweaking" our new construction B lakester since Oct last year.
We ought to be bitterly disappointed that the event was cancelled.
But we are not... Nope.
On Friday the 8th, we were hanging around our trailer, fiddling with this n' that, waiting on a decision to go on the salt.
Then three inspectors happened by and asked if we wanted to have our new car inspection done right now?
HECK YES!!!
The 3 guys meticulously looked over the car and our documentation, made several suggestions, and our car passed!
After the inspection, Don & I both passed our witnessed bailout tests.
YAY!!!!!
Then, on Monday the 11th on the way back to Texas, Tom Burkland helped us through a hastily re-scheduled but very fruitful 4 hour session at the Darko wind tunnel in Ogden. Turns out that we have Cd = .325 which is OK? but front lift of 239#. We had kinda figured we needed ballast in the front but ran out of time before Speed Week. Now we KNOW we need ballast, and we have a couple weeks before World Of Speed to do it. We also tested cardboard & Gorilla tape wheel fairings and air foils on the axles, (which cut drag), re-shaped the rear of the air scoop, changed ride height, and put a big fairing under the nose. All tests impacted Cd and lift but we'll need to digest that info before making changes this winter. A huge anount of data in 4 hours costing only a lil more than we spent on diesel traveling to/from Wendover.
Although we didn't see one foot of salt from the cockpit, we are happier than heck at the progress we made and the people we encountered.
Many thanks to Kiwi-Paul, Adam Rogers, and Tim Boyle who cruised the casino parking lots looking for inspection candidates!!!
And a huge thank you to Tom Burkland who burned up a day showing us how to wring info from a wind tunnel.
As former motorcycle guys, this was Don & my 1st on-the-ground experience with "car guys" and it was GREAT!
Karl