On Friday May 9 the Seymour High Schools Alternative Energy III class and Electrathon Car Club, led by Technology Education Teachers Mr. Joseph Perrucci and Mr. Michael Stock, participated in the annual Electrathon Challenge race at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville.
Schools from all over New England participated in the race showing off their abilities to design and build an electric vehicle. The vehicles themselves were unique in terms of engineering, design, speed, and maneuverability.
The cars finished third and fourth out of a field of three dozen.
This year Seymour High School raced both last year’s modified kit-based car #424 driven by Andrew Gavin and Cory Spooner, as well as this year’s newly designed car #422 driven by Brennen Rudy and Franklin MacDonald.
Car #424 had been in two previous races in October and May of 2013, placing second and then first in the Novice Division. Both vehicles were moved up to Expert or Classic Division in which we competed against some schools who have had several years of racing experience.
The first eight months of the 2014 school year were spent designing and building the new race car #422. The designs were first created using a computer aided drafting and design (CADD) program called Solid Works. Some parts, such as mounting brackets, were also designed in Solid Works then printed on our 3D printers and mounted in order to test the fit.
After that we custom-fabricated the chassis and a majority of other parts at the SHS. Everyone in the Car Club and the Alternative Energy III class had to prepare for the race by making sure both cars were all ready to go before race day. We had to test the two cars to see if there was anything wrong with them and make any necessary modifications.
Race day started at 7:45 when the team arrived at Lime Rock Race Track. The cars were unpacked from the trailers and put up onto jack stands to prep before the 10 a.m. practice laps.
Both the cars passed through all seven inspection tests; Inspection included electrical, stability, sizing (weight of driver and ballasts). After inspection, students put in the practice batteries for both cars and got the cars onto the track. The practice ended at 10:30.
The pit crew for the newest car, #422 that was racing in the first heat, had to prepare the car to race by putting race batteries in and then making sure the driver was secure and safe.
The first heat began at 11:11, and Seymour was able to maintain a consistent time for each lap which kept us in a great position for the standings.
Some of the other teams had to make several pit stops during this heat, but not Seymour.
The second heat started at 1:19 p.m. During this heat we were racing our old car, #424. It did not have any mechanical issues unlike many of the other teams, ending with a solid standing as well.
The new car, #422, placed in 3rd place in a field of 36 cars with 47 laps.
Car #424 placed fourth out of a field of 36 cars with 46 laps.
It was quite the impressive feat to have both cars finish so well against such great competition.
This event was an incredible display of innovation and creativity. Teams applied engineering, physics, electrical, fabrication, manufacturing, and mechanical skills to create the electric vehicles.
Students will now review the race day events and will begin to collaborate on new ideas, designs and techniques for a brand new car that the Alternative Energy III class and the Car Club will be building for the May 2015 spring race.
The class and after school club has made a difference by improving the academic performance and overall attitude of many of those involved.
All current materials and equipment was purchased through the Connecticut State Department of Education’s Innovation Grant and Perkins Grant which is funded via the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.
Several local companies and individuals have supported the new #422 vehicle.
We would like to thank JW Racing, Communication Systems, Nu-Age Designs, Richard Kearns Junior, Southwood NAPA Auto Parts, and David Tuttle.
If anyone would like further information about the program or information about how they could assist the program please contact Assistant Principal Paul Lucke at 203 – 888-2561 Ext. 1100.
If you are interested in supporting this great program and would like to check out the cars in person please feel to visit us at our booth at the Seymours Founders Day, June 1.