Hey everyone,

I've decided to try to help out the Univeristy of Washington, given the recent budget cuts and the fact that I am an MBA in the business school there.

Anyway, they have a team that builds a race car from scratch and then enter's it in a series of competitions. I thought that there might be some members of this board that may be able to help us with something. Given these are young people aspiring to do something each of us hold dearly.

They need to find a testing venue. Think big flat parking lot. They would bring the car down to the site on a weekend, set up a cone course similar to autox and test various settings and go through driver's training. Some of them are accomplished racers already (karting champion in Hawaii).

If any of you know of anyone that might have the ability to let them use some space, please send me a note. They have a relationship with the Tacoma Dome, and until recently Boeing. Unfortunately boeing needed the space back given the crazy work hours they were running with the 787 issues.

They have a pretty good system in place for doing this.

PM me here or email me

cobb dot trevor @ gmail dot com

Thanks guys,

Trevor

 

sounds like a really cool project! todd is an SAE alumni as well. =) i wish i knew of an area to recommend for them.

once everything is worked out with where it will be, can people come to watch? if i'm available, i would be interested in seeing the event or helping out.

 

I'm sure they would like that. They are all total car nuts, just a little younger than most of us.

When they asked me to drive for them I realized that many of them have only had a driver's license for a couple of years! Good people though andlike you, I get a kick out of helping people out.

They have an autox on the 8th at Bremerton. They're doing the cone ******** thing again I think. Where you can pay one of them (goes to the team budget as a fund raiser) to **** cones for you.

 

That looks so very cool. I am going to take that course... Have they asked the KeyArena guys yet? I am not sure if that will work I think they just have a parking garage. I am going to see what I can do. I hope I can help.

 

I am surprised that Jody did not reccomend behind the Bellevue Whole Foods

 

^^^ i'll see what i can do!

 

How large does it have to be? There's was a good sized lot where nick parker did my photoshoot. I think it is used at times for motorcycle driving classes but not sure of the frequency.

 

How about the Frys/Lowes parking lot in Renton?

 

Hey guys,

I haven't seen those two locations that you mention. I think an open flat space about the size of 2/3 of a football field would work. If you have been by the Husky Stadium, the Montlake parking lot is a spot they have used.

Do you think these two places above would fit that description? If so I could swing by one (maybe both) of them tomorrow to check it out. Also, if you know someone, that would be helpful. I'm comfortable just walking in to the store and asking, but it is always helpful to know the right person and have them be expecting you.

 

Hahaha rep for you. winked winked : )

 

How about Bremerton? After they paint it, we'll donate a wetsand and polish.


John

 

Thanks John, I'll let them know.

We looked into Bremerton but they want to charge them for the time. Totally understand that, as it is a business for Bremerton. Unfortunately, the only budget these guys have is from fund raising.

One of the events they are doing is this coming weekend. See info below.

I'll keep working on this for them. I'm sure we can find a place. I drove by the Tacoma dome today. If you are on I-5 and look at that section of parking lot that is closest to the freeway, that is one of there practice locations. Of course, they can only use it when there isn't anything at the dome going on. If you know of a spot like that, which might be vacant on a weekend, I'd love to hear about it.

Info:


UWFSAE Dawg Sled 2009

Who: UW Formula SAE and you!

Event Date: February 8, 2009

Location: Bremerton Motorsports Park

Entry Information:

Pre-register and pre-pay: $25
Pre-register and pay onsite: $25
Register onsite and pay onsite: $30
No pre-registered double-entries, limited double-entries may be available at the event.

Mailing address for payments (Must be received by noon Saturday, February 7th):

UWFSAE
University of Washington
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Campus Box 352600
Seattle, WA 98195-2600

As always, spectators are welcome (all must sign a waiver, of course.)

Event Details:

UWFSAE Students will be available to take over work assignments for drivers who generously donate $20 or more to the University of Washington Formula SAE Program. The number of students are limited and may be reserved at time of registration.

Schedule:

AM Registration
7:30a-8:30a

AM Tech
7:30a-8:35a

AM Driver's Meeting
08:45a

First car on course
09:00a




PM Registration
11:30a-12:30p

PM Tech
11:30a-12:35p

PM Driver's Meeting
12:45p

First car on course
1:00p


http://scorekeeper.wwscc.org/register/slush2009/

 

thanks
Just poking a little fun...
can't you hear her already -- centrally located with a lot of parking and easy freeway access

BG is the best!

 

my eyes just lit up when you said WF pj!

and i was JUST going to say.....

"there is lots of parking and it's easy access to the freeway"!

 

If they don't mind the drive, I might be able to arrange our back parking lot. It may be remembered from such infamous events as the Kent Street Racing Bust '08 where the cops handed out over 200 citations and impounded a bunch of cars. So I can assure you that it's a great spot to test the limits of a vehicle on a consistent surface. Plus we have a back straightaway that's well over a quarter mile long. :-D