Sorry for the delay, we are working out the kinks of our new reporting machine here at BAA HQ. Special thanks this week to Anthony Pacella, Tom Wood, And Lou Conley  for notes, video and pictures from rolls with more to come as we continue to untie the knots.

This was the first weekend where teams got to experience the new roads and as expected, reports are very positive. PiKA and SigNu have yet to cape their buggies so they were not out this weekend and are hoped to return next weekend. After talking with Sweepstakes it seemed that rolls went off without a hitch logistics-wise. There are always little things that happen like not all of the police barricaders showing up, a truck making its way onto the course, ect, you know the usual excitement that every sweepstakes chair dreads. All buggies were bagged the entire day to help the drivers get acclimated or re-acclimated to the course and the speeds. With beautiful weather and freshly paved backhills, we are dreaming for every weekend to be like this.

In Attendance

Observations (Sunday)

• AEPi – They were not in their usual spot when I arrived at the top of the hill on Sunday so, they must have found a spot elsewhere during rolls. Kamikaze, driven by Rachel, made it nicely around the course three times. She was rolling just fine for the first day of rolls.
• Apex – Phoenix was out bright and early being driven by Anna. Apex was near the top of the roll order so they were able to get in four rolls. The team looked a little small but they were rolling well. They were back at their post next to SDC along hill 5.
• CIA – CIA was the only org on the top Tepper patio on Sunday with a nice turnout of members. They rolled an impressive four buggies on their first day back. Equinox, Orca, Icarus, and Ascension all seemed to be rolling well. Equinox and Orca were able to get in 4 rolls each and Icarus with Ascension only getting in 2 rolls.
• Fringe – Bissa, Beacon, and X1 all came out to the course and got in 4 rolls. Beacon had two drivers so each performed two rounds. X1’s wheel composition seemed like a good idea …and I’ll just leave It at that. The team looked a little more upbeat than last year so maybe they can turn over a new leaf and excel through the semester.
• PhiDelt – The newest team was back this year still sporting Perun, on loan from KDR. like several teams, Sarah was able to drive 4 rounds before the day was done. The team had a number of questions but seems to be magnitudes more confident than last year and even hinted at a new build.
• SAE – SAE brought Lucy back to the course and it looked great. The team still has a great demeanor at rolls with huge smiles because they have the most fun. I would say it is all due to their driver, Eileen who traded off piloting roles with Junho so that each had 2 rolls.
• SDC – Havoc (a new buggy?), Avarice, and Malice comprised the fleet of SDC buggies. The buggies rolled well but I didn’t see the organization of the mechanics that has been in years past.
• SigEp – SigEp brought out Kraken and Pandora for the first rolls. Veteran Shushma drove Kraken for 3 rolls while new driver Annie got 3 rolls while learning how to drive in Pandora. I think it once hit a car and nothing happened to the buggy. SigEp was able to convince a good number of pushers to come out that early and push. They are looking to restock their A-team since 3 have graduated.
• Spirit – Inviscid, Seraph, Kingpin, and Mapambazuko rolled on Sunday. Everything was going smoothly until Kingpin crashed in the chute on their first roll. From the video, kingpin was moving slowly enough to not cause damage and she hit the very first inside bale, just barely missing the curb. The buggy behind her, Mapambazuko, and the follow car both ignored the stop flag and drove past Kingpin in the chute. Sweepstakes plans on having some penalty for that. Inviscid got in 4 rolls and Seraph and Mapambazuko each got in 3 rolls in despite the crash. Inviscid Seraph also took some liberty with her lines early on in the morning (video below).
• Robo – Transistor, Robobuggy’s newest build, was out this weekend continuing their work from last year still working toward a fully autonomas driver. After their immense improvement last year, we can’t wait to see what they are able to accomplish this year!