Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Day 3 - Acceleration, Skid Pad, Autocross
Other than the rain today was a good day and everyone seems pleased with the results. They place 10th in design, and completed autocross. Jordan and Hans drove skid pad and acceleration and Jeff and JT drove autocross today and endurance tomorrow. All the drivers have done a great job under the rainy conditions.
I had some memory card issues between after Jordan's skid pad run and had to borrow Tylers card. Once I get an upload complete I will add more pics from Hans', JT's and Jeff's races.
Tonight was taco dinner that included Chalice and I visiting 4 different grocery stores (one of them twice) and getting yelled at by the cashier at the last one. Many of them close at 7 pm here and we could't find everything we needed in one spot. We entered the last one at a couple minutes till 7 and each received a very lengthy tongue lashing in German about it being closing time. Neither one of us really paid attention, we HAD to get meat for dinner! Everything except the lettuce, tomato, and cheese was a challenge. The meat (ground pork and beef combo) was perhaps the hardest. The first store we went to, that had it yesterday, was completely out of any type of ground meat today, and we took all they had at the second to the last store. It's an understatement to say we live large in the US.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Link for live timing
Here's the link for live timing...we'll be up way before you all are!
http://fsaustria.at/live-timing/?lang=en
http://fsaustria.at/live-timing/?lang=en
Engineering news!
http://engr.ku.edu/news/2013-08-23/kus-formula-car-team-heads-european-competition
Finally, internet that works..hopefully long enough to post this.
Chalice and I went to Venice over the weekend while the team put the car together. We loved the experience and met some very interesting people. We had done some shopping and had talked about all the little alleys and how it's fun to explore all the little detours we found. We decided to go eat at the end of one of the alleys. We had a great dinner and had asked a couple sitting hear to take a pic of us. Come to find out, they are in the film industry and he is a stunt man and played Batman in the last movie and a variety of other movies. We had great conversation, made fun of American tourists and ended the night at a jazz bar. She is Midwest girl too and we all hit it off immediately.
Monday morning TU Graz took us to their practice site then onto Red Bull Ring, While following the Graz van with the car to the track, one car in the caravan got separated. Fortunately, they had a GPS and found their own way. When everyone got out of the cars, Jordan said he felt there was a better way than to go over the mountain to get there (following a local). The separated car said they went through a tunnel...it was kinda one of those moments you just had to be there for, but it was funny that we went over the mountain and through the woods, literally.
Today they made it through tech and all the presentations and felt good about everything. Tomorrow will be skidpad, acceleration and autocross. The day is ending back at the apartments we rented and I made them a pasta dinner.
Chalice and I went to Venice over the weekend while the team put the car together. We loved the experience and met some very interesting people. We had done some shopping and had talked about all the little alleys and how it's fun to explore all the little detours we found. We decided to go eat at the end of one of the alleys. We had a great dinner and had asked a couple sitting hear to take a pic of us. Come to find out, they are in the film industry and he is a stunt man and played Batman in the last movie and a variety of other movies. We had great conversation, made fun of American tourists and ended the night at a jazz bar. She is Midwest girl too and we all hit it off immediately.
Monday morning TU Graz took us to their practice site then onto Red Bull Ring, While following the Graz van with the car to the track, one car in the caravan got separated. Fortunately, they had a GPS and found their own way. When everyone got out of the cars, Jordan said he felt there was a better way than to go over the mountain to get there (following a local). The separated car said they went through a tunnel...it was kinda one of those moments you just had to be there for, but it was funny that we went over the mountain and through the woods, literally.
Today they made it through tech and all the presentations and felt good about everything. Tomorrow will be skidpad, acceleration and autocross. The day is ending back at the apartments we rented and I made them a pasta dinner.
One nice change from the American competitions is that we have a garage so are out of the elements (it's rained a lot). It's been really exciting seeing a lot of other teams come and look and a take pictures of the car. The team has heard many comments about how nice our car looks. I am biased, yes, but we really do have the best looking car here.
I'll hopefully have internet again tomorrow to post more pics.
Friday, August 23, 2013
We are all now present and accounted for. I won't share all the ugly details on her of the >24 hours it took me, just know that I did not witness one United flight depart or arrive on time during the lengthy time I spent at KCI and Dulles. What an ordeal it was to get here, but here nonetheless.
The team spent the day in Munich yesterday and from the stories I've heard a great time was had by all. This am, Jordan and Baggs came to pick me up and the others started on their journey to Graz via Salzburg. We took a different route and stopped in Passau for lunch. It was a very nice quiet town from what we saw. My main goal was to see where the 3 rivers converge and have lunch there. Mission accomplished and we moved on. We drove through many mountain tunnels and witnessed gorgeous mountain views on our drive to Graz.
Once we all arrived in Graz the first piece of business was to get to the car. Below are a variety of pics of the crate during the process of disassembly and unloading, All pieces were intact which made for a very happy JMS group.
The team spent the day in Munich yesterday and from the stories I've heard a great time was had by all. This am, Jordan and Baggs came to pick me up and the others started on their journey to Graz via Salzburg. We took a different route and stopped in Passau for lunch. It was a very nice quiet town from what we saw. My main goal was to see where the 3 rivers converge and have lunch there. Mission accomplished and we moved on. We drove through many mountain tunnels and witnessed gorgeous mountain views on our drive to Graz.
Once we all arrived in Graz the first piece of business was to get to the car. Below are a variety of pics of the crate during the process of disassembly and unloading, All pieces were intact which made for a very happy JMS group.
After getting the wheels on and rolling to the shop for further assembly, the JMS team and TU Graz team were going to dinner. Chalice and I left them to their work and found dinner on our own and came back to the hotel/dorms for the evening. Tomorrow will be filled with car adventures and the girls are going to Venice!
Internet is not everywhere here like it is in our part of the world so it may be difficult at times to update but will when and as often as possible.
gute Nacht!
ps...if you're having difficulties posting a comment, you have to sign in, a gmail account is probably the easiest. If you don't have one and don't want to mess with it you can email me at dfaltermeier@gmail.com
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Before the trip... and how it all started
At the encouragement of a co-worker, I decided to attempt a blog/vlog of my European Adventures with Jayhawk Motorsports for everyone back home. She also said it's a good way to remember specifics about the trip later when putting a scrap book together. That would be beneficial for me since it might take until I retire to make one of this trip. I still have yet to finish Alex and Jordan's from their high school swimming days! I also know, from our family trip last year that it can be hard to remember details of days so...here goes!
I am still working on the format as I am not 100% happy with it yet, so you may see many changes from time to time.
Here's how it all started....
I met Jordan, Hans, Jeff and Kelly for lunch at 23rd Street Brewery, where Chalice was working that day. It all began with a conversation that went something like this.. Jordan, "Mom, we want to go to the race in Germany this year and need some money." Of course I started with the questions (most of you know how much Jordan LOVES my questions) followed by what it would take for me to play along. I will never forget the look on Jeff's face when I said I'd help financially if they met my requests. At the time I asked that the contribution be anonymous if it all came to fruition. I had several reasons, all of which are now irrelevant, as we're no longer anonymous contributors.
One of my biggest requests (in my mind) was that they each pay it forward in the future when they have the opportunity. I explained that we are a blessed family on so many levels and that I am a firm believer in reaching out, helping others and paying our blessings forward. When we pay our blessings forward they come back to us ten-fold. My lunch dates that day are a great group of 'kids' with huge potential, will see enormous opportunities to pay it forward in their lives and I know they will do just that.
They accepted my requirements and got to work. Within a week I had their written initial plan of action.
They were not able to get into the Germany FSAE before it filled up. They were so committed to making a European race happen that they moved on to the next option...AUSTRIA! I believe everything happens for a reason and the timing of this race works great with many of them having summer internships.
Why am I involved, you may be asking yourself. Several reasons, #1 I will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see my son drive the race car he's put his heart and soul into for the last year in AUSTRIA! Yes, I am going, wouldn't miss it for the world. I will be the 'adult' and advisor (don't laugh too hard) for the team. #2 I will get the once in a lifetime opportunity to see my 'adopted sons' drive the race car they have put their heart and souls into for the last year, #3 It's a great excuse to travel to Europe again this summer! #4 Jordan said I could, ha ha, #5 It's an additional opportunity so show my support for this great team, #6 they needed a trip planner :-)
There were many that did not believe this would actually happen. I didn't doubt it for one second! This is a hard working team that doesn't quit until the goal is reached even if it means they are still pulling all nighters (or close to it) long after the semester has ended and graduation come and gone.
The car shipped August 13 to TU Graz who has graciously offered use of their shop for the team to put the car together prior to and get it to the race at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. The competition begins Monday, August 26 and runs through Thursday, the 29th.
Jordan is already in Germany, he went a week early along with another team member, Nick Baggett aka Baggs. The remainder of us will fly into Munich and meet those two this coming Thursday (8/22). There will be 11 of us representing the University of Kansas and Jayhawk Motorsports! The current plan is to play in Munich Thursday and maybe some of Friday then head to Graz so that they can put the car together and prepare for the start of competition Monday in Spielberg. My plan is to take some side trips while they are doing their preparations (hopefully Venice as it's only a 3 hour drive from Graz). After the competition Jordan and I (and other team members who will still be there and want to) are going to meet a family member from the US who is currently living in Lehrberg, Charles, in Prague for the weekend. From there we will travel back to Charles' home in Lehrberg. He has been so kind to open his home to us again! J and I's plan is to do a day trip to Regensburg the Monday before we leave to spend some time with our German family that lives there. We will then head home Wednesday, September 4.
Lastly, a good friend of ours has helped us with the design and production of our race shirts for the event! Thanks, Terry and 1st Street Graphics in St. Joe.
So there you have it...
I will attempt to post daily if I have internet, along with any pictures and videos I can get to upload. Feel free to post comments and feedback.
Rock Chalk!
I am still working on the format as I am not 100% happy with it yet, so you may see many changes from time to time.
Here's how it all started....
I met Jordan, Hans, Jeff and Kelly for lunch at 23rd Street Brewery, where Chalice was working that day. It all began with a conversation that went something like this.. Jordan, "Mom, we want to go to the race in Germany this year and need some money." Of course I started with the questions (most of you know how much Jordan LOVES my questions) followed by what it would take for me to play along. I will never forget the look on Jeff's face when I said I'd help financially if they met my requests. At the time I asked that the contribution be anonymous if it all came to fruition. I had several reasons, all of which are now irrelevant, as we're no longer anonymous contributors.
One of my biggest requests (in my mind) was that they each pay it forward in the future when they have the opportunity. I explained that we are a blessed family on so many levels and that I am a firm believer in reaching out, helping others and paying our blessings forward. When we pay our blessings forward they come back to us ten-fold. My lunch dates that day are a great group of 'kids' with huge potential, will see enormous opportunities to pay it forward in their lives and I know they will do just that.
They accepted my requirements and got to work. Within a week I had their written initial plan of action.
They were not able to get into the Germany FSAE before it filled up. They were so committed to making a European race happen that they moved on to the next option...AUSTRIA! I believe everything happens for a reason and the timing of this race works great with many of them having summer internships.
Why am I involved, you may be asking yourself. Several reasons, #1 I will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to see my son drive the race car he's put his heart and soul into for the last year in AUSTRIA! Yes, I am going, wouldn't miss it for the world. I will be the 'adult' and advisor (don't laugh too hard) for the team. #2 I will get the once in a lifetime opportunity to see my 'adopted sons' drive the race car they have put their heart and souls into for the last year, #3 It's a great excuse to travel to Europe again this summer! #4 Jordan said I could, ha ha, #5 It's an additional opportunity so show my support for this great team, #6 they needed a trip planner :-)
There were many that did not believe this would actually happen. I didn't doubt it for one second! This is a hard working team that doesn't quit until the goal is reached even if it means they are still pulling all nighters (or close to it) long after the semester has ended and graduation come and gone.
The car shipped August 13 to TU Graz who has graciously offered use of their shop for the team to put the car together prior to and get it to the race at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. The competition begins Monday, August 26 and runs through Thursday, the 29th.
Jordan is already in Germany, he went a week early along with another team member, Nick Baggett aka Baggs. The remainder of us will fly into Munich and meet those two this coming Thursday (8/22). There will be 11 of us representing the University of Kansas and Jayhawk Motorsports! The current plan is to play in Munich Thursday and maybe some of Friday then head to Graz so that they can put the car together and prepare for the start of competition Monday in Spielberg. My plan is to take some side trips while they are doing their preparations (hopefully Venice as it's only a 3 hour drive from Graz). After the competition Jordan and I (and other team members who will still be there and want to) are going to meet a family member from the US who is currently living in Lehrberg, Charles, in Prague for the weekend. From there we will travel back to Charles' home in Lehrberg. He has been so kind to open his home to us again! J and I's plan is to do a day trip to Regensburg the Monday before we leave to spend some time with our German family that lives there. We will then head home Wednesday, September 4.
Lastly, a good friend of ours has helped us with the design and production of our race shirts for the event! Thanks, Terry and 1st Street Graphics in St. Joe.
I will attempt to post daily if I have internet, along with any pictures and videos I can get to upload. Feel free to post comments and feedback.
Rock Chalk!
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