Racing 4 Nickels Team Heads to the Junkyard (Spoilers Ahead)

After analyzing the Road America course, we realized that with longer distances, and longer straights, there is the potential for higher speeds.  Because of this, some form of aerodynamic addition was required from the car.

We looked at a number of automobiles, ranging from a Cadillac Sedan DeVille D'Elegance, to a Dodge Shadow convertible, but finally settled on an Intrigue we spotted.

 

First, the spoiler fit all of our needs:  slightly raised so we could bolt it onto the contours of our vehicle, and had the proper width and length dimensions.

Most importantly, however, it came off an Oldsmobile.  There must be continuity of theme, and the joining of two Oldsmobile parts will add overall harmony and balance to vehicle. (Hm, important Japanese qualities... maybe we'll talk about that in a future post....)

Another item we are thinking about is heat.  The race is in late August, so, (as I am the self-proclaimed team science guy) just to throw out some data:

Average Weather Data for Elkhart Lake, WI:

Taken from here.

Date	Average Low	Average High	Record Low	Record High	Average Precipitation	Average Snow
January	9°	25°	-29° (1982)	60° (1944)	1.4"	13.5"
February	13°	30°	-27° (1996)	64° (2000)	1.25"	12.2"
March	23°	40°	-18° (1962)	82° (1910)	2.42"	11.5"
April	34°	54°	8° (1954)	89° (1990)	3.47"	3.1"
May	45°	67°	21° (1966)	92° (1978)	3.67"	0.1"
June	55°	77°	30° (1945)	101° (2005)	3.93"	0"
July	60°	81°	39° (1968)	107° (2005)	3.94"	0"
August	59°	79°	36° (1915)	101° (1988)	4.55"	0"
September	50°	70°	25° (1926)	98° (1953)	4.02"	0"
October	39°	58°	6° (1925)	88° (1976)	2.93"	0.2"
November	28°	43°	-7° (1976)	75° (1944)	2.85"	4.9"
December	16°	30°	-20° (1983)	67° (2001)	1.87"	15.1"

Date	Average Low	Average High	Record Low	Record High	Average Precipitation	Average Snow
Aug 19	58°	78°	45° (1950)	95° (1955)	0.15"	NA
Aug 20	58°	78°	42° (1950)	96° (1955)	0.15"	NA
Aug 21	58°	78°	43° (2004)	97° (1955)	0.15"	NA
Aug 22	58°	77°	38° (1967)	94° (1936)	0.15"	NA
Aug 23	57°	77°	40° (1967)	97° (1947)	0.15"	NA
Aug 24	57°	77°	40° (1977)	98° (1948)	0.15"	NA

So, two things pop out at me.  First, it can get hot, highs in the upper 70s at least.  There was a record of near 100 degree temps as well, so something we need to think about.

Interestingly, August tends to be the wettest time of year as well, with a half an inch of rain higher than other months.  That may also figure into strategery.