Checklist: Preparing for dynamic events at Formula Student

George Hopkins, Dynamics Volunteer and Technical Scrutineer, reveals his checklist for success in the dynamic events at Formula Student.

In order to succeed in the dynamic events at Formula Student, participants need to plan what they are doing and when. Team managers should follow this checklist to ensure that everything is done in a timely fashion. A good approach is to assign people roles or items of kit to look after. This way, as long as every member is doing their bit, everything should be in place. 

Your driver will not be able to take in lots of information, stress, and shouting and still drive to the best of their ability. You’ve just spent months, if not years, getting a car to this point; you now need to put your river in a position where they can get the most out of your hard work.

• Get the driver strapped in, helmet on with plenty of time
• Don’t bang on their helmet just before they go out on the track
• Where and when with what – Your team leader must always consider this. You need to be at the events in good time and with the correct paperwork and any tools needed. You’re not the only team there, so there will be queues; leave plenty of time. Do not sacrifice the static events for dynamic ones
• Assign roles and responsibilities - Tyres, settings, front end, rear end etc. This way everyone has a job and hopefully things will not be missed and the turn around time for the car will be much quicker
• Set up change for drivers – This will mainly be based around ergonomics; things such as moving the pedal box, changing seat inserts. Practice the changes and ensure you have any tools needed to do them
• Set up change for events – Sprint, endurance and skid pan are all similar but some gains can be made in the acceleration event. Adjusting rear camber, dampers and possibly anti roll and tyre pressures. These need to be evaluated in testing and the changes have to be done between events so you need to be organised and have this timetabled!
• Running in the wet – Make sure you have tested and practiced any changes for the wet, even as simple as changing the tyres. Make sure you know what you're doing and everything fits. If it is raining don’t wait for it to dry; everyone will be doing the same and you risk not getting a run. Get out there and bank some points.