UCI Solar Car Front End

Background
- The Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP) is an annual solar car racing event held on closed road or grand prix-style courses. This distinctive competition is open to teams worldwide and challenges the vehicles' ability to navigate curves, brake efficiently, and accelerate effectively. In years when the American Solar Challenge (ASC) takes place, FSGP acts as the qualifying event, requiring teams to demonstrate their vehicles' performance before participating in the ASC's cross-country journey. The strategies for FSGP differ significantly from those for the ASC, with an emphasis on driver preparation, effective passing techniques, and quick pit stops. Teams must also ensure accurate lap tracking by assigning a dedicated team member to the timing booth and adhering strictly to track regulations.
- In the single-occupant vehicle category, the winner is determined by the total number of laps completed over three days of racing. For multi-occupant vehicles, victory is calculated using a formula that considers laps completed, passenger count, average speed, and the total external energy used during the event. Additionally, awards are given to the team and driver who achieve the fastest lap in each vehicle class.
Design Overview
- Our objective is to design and fully assemble the front end prototype of a three wheeled solar car by the EOQ. This includes part fabrication, integrating suspension, steering, and brakes.
Goals and Objectives
- Week 8 : Continue assembling steering jig, continue running sims on entire front Suspension assembly, Weld rear trailing arm
  Week 8 : Assemble Front A-arm Welding jig, perform testing on rear trailing arm + redesign, Continue assembling steering jig
  Week 9: Make new rear welding jig, weld front arm, Finish steering jig
  Week 10: Weld new trailing arm, Test front A-arms, Weld steering column and support
Team Contact
- Sebastian Caballero (srcaball@uci.edu)
- Tiffany Gao (tiffag3@uci.edu)
- Quan Nguyen (quann5@uci.edu)
- Patrick Revives (previves@uci.edu)
- Nicholas Wilson (ndwilson@uci.edu)
Sponsor Contact
- John Michael McCarthy, Ph.D. (jmmccart@uci.edu)