Racecar
Searching for the Limit in Formula SAE
by Matt Brown
In 2006, a small unavailing university auto racing team began building a racecar that would challenge the best engineering schools in the world. With fewer people and resources than any of the top competitors, the only way they were going to win was to push the limit, go for broke, and hope for more than a little luck.
By the time they got to the racetrack, they knew: In the fog of fierce competition, whether you win or lose, you learn the hardest lessons about engineering, teamwork, friendship, and yourself.
Hi, Matt. This is Terry from China. A brief self-introduction first, I graduated from Tongji University in Shanghai and when I was on campus I served for our university FSAE team. Since then I established a forum for all the FSAEers in China(cnFSAE.com) and I became one of the staff for FSAE China in 2010.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog accidentally and saw this book just now. You know, it is just amazing cuz no one here has ever thought of writing such kind of things. Most of the teams in China are at their outset, so I feel it would be great to expose them to a wider world with your book. Yet it is disappointing that the book is not available in Chinese iTunes Stores. I finally get it from Nook, you know, not a pleasant experience, haha. But I've got an idea, I think it would be extremely welcomed if it is translated into Chinese. I know it would be challenging, but also meaningful. If you are interested in this idea, would you pls talk with me later? My email address is admin@FSAE-China.com. Hope to hear from you soon.
This book is awesome, I am the brother of the so called "Wes" in the book. It has made me want to join FSAE any more.
ReplyDeleteI hope you mean even more, John. ;)
ReplyDeleteMatt: What a great read! My son is addicted to, er involved with the Colorado State FSAE team, and tells many of the same stories. They are very much in the same boat - underfunded, unapprecaited by the university, over worked, and of course not paid at all. They are gearing up for the big event in Lincoln NE in June, and I hope to be there for a few days to see it all first hand.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.engr.colostate.edu/ramracing/Ram_Racing/Home.html
Your writing is excellent, and I REALLY enjoyed the book. You have a real talent, a great style, and I'd encourage you to pursue writing as a career! It's an amazing first effort for an engineer. Find other topics about which you have passion and give them the same treatment. I thought the first chapter was especially funny - made me laugh out loud! Maybe you could follow big race teams around and write about their world. Car and race fans all over would PAY for that!
Good luck and keep writing!
Did you coin "Why? Because racecar"?
ReplyDeleteNope, it's a recurring theme on some car blogs.
DeleteI know this illness, so very very well.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.indiegogo.com/RaceCapture
Excited to read it all. (Great job on the taphandle too).
I can't believe I read this in one night. It kept me there glued to the screen. Thank you for sharing your experience man. It's everything I imagined, and more. I like your writing style too. Very entertaining.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Matt. Ordered a hard copy and can't wait to have a read. Have an e28 M5 that I tinker with, but really hope to scrap together something more purpose built one day because racecar.
ReplyDelete