Sorry for the later than usual report this week. Post-game Steelers celebrations unexpectedly went all night.
—————–
Saturday was rained out again this week bringing the tally to 4 rain-outs in the last 5 scheduled days of rolls, but Sunday was a perfect fall day for rolls. Nice leaves, not too hot, not too cold.
In attendance: AEPi, SigEp, DTD, Spirit, SigNu, PhiKap, SDC, PiKA, Fringe, CIA
Observations: (Full gallery here)
PiKA’s Wyvern rolled for the first time since a crash in the fall of ’07. Rumor was that it was pretty badly damaged in that crash and not likely to ever roll again. I guess those rumor mongerers didn’t factor in that the Pikes would work on fixing it up for 2 years. It looked as good as new (as opposed to the actually new Nemesis which looks like it has some sort of a duct tape infection) and rolled well. Still haven’t seen ‘ole Cyclone back out.
Knightfall was rolling on some new front wheels that suggest the Ultimate Soap Box Derby <–> Buggy connections are healthy and full of soap-opera quality drama. The spoke design is pretty clearly a Zero Error product which is interesting because they’ve been involved with a few teams already, but PiKA’s alliances were previously with Zero Error’s competitor.- PiKA and AEPi both had incidents on the back hills which are quickly becoming the most treacherous part of the course. It seems the sun is particularly glare-ful this year or something. Perhaps the curbs have been laced with magnets.
And in non-PiKA news … AEPi’s chairman reportedly rolled in Kamikaze just for fun. Tell us, was it as awesome as all the rest of us mechanics have always hoped and dreamed? Or was it loud, uncomfortable, and claustrophobic? Could go either way.
DTD is using round wheels now, but they haven’t exactly worked out all the kinks. Bethany required a boost around the transition flag, and then again right in the middle of the chute. No better way to get everyone in shape for the spring.
Zatchmo says:
Yeah, I got my long awaited roll in. After years of being told I was short enough to drive, I got to prove them quite correct! Even at my stature, with the proper folding over of my feet it worked out well enough. Uploaded a photo as proof – the pink helmet was forced on me by a real driver, but I’ll admit I have been holding on that pink driver shirt since last year waiting for my chance to shine.
I can’t say anything that a *real* driver couldn’t say on the experience. It is loud, exciting, and just a crapton of fun. I will say that after years working on them, running them, convincing people they want to drive them… yeah, it’s was worth the wait and exactly as much fun as you could hope for. I mean, it honestly was one of the less comfortable experiences in recent memory physically as I have *some* height on our female drivers, but if we get some more rolls in this semester than we actually have had I will jump in the buggy and strap myself down before anyone can stop me. Couple of faster rolls and I will be by far the happiest mechanic on the course.
Now, if any well-off alumni wish to fund my proposed double-decker passenger buggy for use in exhibitions, get in touch, share this wonderful experience around to all those mechanics and chairs cursed with height. We supply labor, you supply a pile of money, everyone wins.
~Zack
AEPi Buggy Chair
AEPi E-team Driver
CrzRsn says:
I’ve always wanted to roll in a buggy. As a SigNu mechanic, I’ve done some work inside the buggies, but I think that I might be just slightly too tall to actually fit properly, even in Krait.
the cook says:
you’ll probably fit fine in the Zoo’s next buggy – each one is bigger than the last
DAC says:
Cheers for the most execellent reports, pics, etc. Fine job! You guys have really got to get the terminology correct:
> The ‘chute’ is the steep, fast section between the (2) flags.
> The ‘turn’ is just that, after the chute between the bails.
This has been fouled up for about 15 years now…time to fix it, and this site is the perfect medium for that.
zoooooo says:
actually krait and skua are the same size….get your facts straight
bordick says:
Well, except for those bulbous wheel covers on Krait.