I've been waiting for someone to ask... but they haven't, so I'll ask.
I'd like to hear how finals went for *YOU* and the team at finals. Kinda a run by run, problems with equipment, unloading, scheduling, fun times, qualifying, final runs, people, after finals event fun times.
I'm not asking for the dirt or your view of "other things". Just interested what a big time competitor like you went through at the finals.
posted
Wow - ok. As usual, not quite ready. We had torn the passenger door off at Daytona in 2000 - it has been repaired, but never shut properly. So, After NOPI, the guys spent time redoing the door and reinforcing the back including a new window.
The rig arrived mid-day Thursday - Bronco was delivered to CarTronics in Antioch (Troy and team - thank you)that day. We were there early Friday and some tests were done to ensure that everything was working properly. We have had problems shipping the bronco recently - after the bottom fell out, the reinforcement is so tight that things are shaking loose during transportation. Another problem that will have to be addressed later.
Bronco was deemed to be working at the potential it has with the current install - so we loaded up and headed for the NCC. Got it unloaded and in its bay - and went to dinner. Rig was taken to the secured area and prayers were made. (everything was ok)
Saturday morning, we got the stuff out of the rig and prepared bronco for qualifing. Everything was quiet - we were concerned about pushing that monster because we had to go completely around the center in order to get to the meters. The fire marshalls were great - made arrangements for us to drive it as long as the kill switch was there and we did exactly what they said. Our problem is that the bronco has power steering, power brakes, and big tires. The other concern was that we have a 5 gallon fuel tank and that car will run for about an hour - not sure if we would have enough fuel for the runs and all that moving.
Enough history? We knew there was no way for us to take first place. Bronco was doing just about what it could do with the current woofer enclosure. Products are great - need work on the basic design - and that will happen.
Qualifing run put us in second - Chili first. Our first run was with James - second was with Ed. We got through those and took a second to Chili.
The numbers in 13+ extreme were very consistent and we really had no problems. The 7 extreme 13+ competitors had a good time and left still friends. This was probably one of the best finals I have attended. We had no problems, bronco worked, nothing blew, nothing broke, and we did a respectable number.
Oh yes, we ran out of gas on the ramp loading the bronco - so that was cutting it really short!
While talking about finals, I need to thank my group -Mark, Gary, Jason, Jeremy, Aaron, Greg, John, Jeremy C, David, George, Rick Jones (welcome back) and all the others involved with the bronco this year. It's been a long, difficult year, but we survived! Thanks everyone.
[ 10-13-2001: Message edited by: alma gates ]
[ 11-06-2001: Message edited by: alma gates ]
-------------------- Alma Gates
Posts: 3134 | From: phoenix, arizona - usa | Registered: Aug 1999
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posted
I was standing right beside the Bronco during the first 171.3 dB run. It was awesome. I was standing there watching the competition, and I looked up and there it was. The team was bringing it in. It was kind of weird seeing the team that I read and hear about so often right there. I had a blast. Does anyone know what was up with that 179.8 dB (or something like that) score? They hit it and the whole crowd got silent, but later they hit much lower.
-------------------- 私の正義
"In dictatorships we are more fortunate that you in the West in one respect. We believe nothing of what we read in the newspapers and nothing of what we watch on television, because we know its propaganda and lies. Unlike you in the West. We've learned to look behind the propaganda and to read between the lines, and unlike you, we know that the real truth is always subversive." - Zdener Urbanek of the Czechoslovakian dissident group Charter77, while under Stalinist dictatorship Posts: 7375 | From: Nashville, TN | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Phillip, it is my understanding that the mic cable was malfunctioning. Kyle and James both did high numbers that were extremely questionable. Wayne changed out the cable and each competitor did another run and got more believable numbers.
-------------------- Alma Gates Posts: 3134 | From: phoenix, arizona - usa | Registered: Aug 1999
| IP: Logged |
"In dictatorships we are more fortunate that you in the West in one respect. We believe nothing of what we read in the newspapers and nothing of what we watch on television, because we know its propaganda and lies. Unlike you in the West. We've learned to look behind the propaganda and to read between the lines, and unlike you, we know that the real truth is always subversive." - Zdener Urbanek of the Czechoslovakian dissident group Charter77, while under Stalinist dictatorship Posts: 7375 | From: Nashville, TN | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |