I am so very proud of Team EESC USP for the win of the Formula SAE Competition. They worked so hard and dedicated so much time, energy, blood, and sweat to build this amazing race car from scratch and kept it running. They experienced many engine problems; however, they did not let that stop them. They persevered through many sleepless nights, pure exhaustion, and immense amount of stress to win this thing. They even had to overnight an engine just to replace the failed 3rd engine that was in the car the day before the competition. They were not even sure if the car was going to start in the beginning of the competition, but with Marcos pulling in the fastest scores for the first two racing competitions, Autocros & Skid Pad, there was hope.
The Inspection
The first order of business for the team was that they had to pass an inspection, which took six hours long! They team struggled to ensure that the car passed everything there was to pass in the inspection. On the bright side, the team was able to make sure this race car passed every little detail. Once the team passed the painful inspection, the drivers had to prove to the judges that they were able to escape from the car in five seconds. Learning about this part of course made me nervous. I know things can happen during a race, but I did not want to even think about anything bad happening like this. However, for precautionary reasons, the drivers had to be able to escape from the car in five seconds, which Team EESC passed this part easily!
The design Presentation
Now it's not just all about racing for this type of competition. As I said before, each team had to build their car from scratch. This gave each team the opportunity to show the judges what was done during the process of building their car. There was two design presentations: the first one was a 20 minute long presentation the first day and the second day was a two hour long presentation. With each part of the competition each team accumulates points. The design presentation was not their strongest suite, however I think the judges were still very impressed by this amazing racing contraption.
Spending time with Marcos' Family
Not only did I get to watch Marcos race, but I also got to spend some time with his family while he prepared for the races. I very much appreciate Marcos' family making the effort to try to communicate with me in English and I try my very best to communicate with his family in whatever Portuguese that I know. We for sure had a great time together!
Finally... it's racing time!!!
The time finally came. Marcos' family and I anxiously awaited as his team wheeled Marcos and the car over to the starting line. I was praying my heart out along with others that the car would run efficiently after the team had poured so much time, energy, blood, sweat, and sleepless nights into hopefully doing well enough to win the race. Marcos raced in two competitions, the Skid Pad & Autocros, and won both of them!
And the winner is...Team EESC!!!
The teams reaction to their win was so amazing to watch. Words cannot even describe that moment. We were pretty certain with knowing our scores thus far there was a strong possibility Team EECS was going to win, but the judges were still calculating an hour after the races. We patiently waited and anticipated the win Team EESC was hoping to have. I tried my very best to capture the team reaction on the stands once the car lasted through the endurance race and getting word of their official win at the ceremony. Tean EESC have not won a championship in 10 years, so yes you could say this was something very special. I hope y'all enjoy watching the video of the overwhelming joy and excitement this team showed of their win.
Marcos has been with Team EESC for six years now and he has poured so much time, energy, and taken on different leadership roles to get to where they are. I know he's sad that he's retiring from the team, but he also feels very accomplished! He achieved what he worked so hard for. I am one very proud Brazilian Girlfriend. They worked to the very last minute to keep the engine running. Words cannot even begin to describe how very proud I am of Marcos and the team. They are now on their way to the next championship, in Michigan in the United States. They have an immediate accepted application to the race and now they only have to get the funding they need to get to the race. And from what I've seen, this is one dedicated team and I have 100% faith in them they can do it!