Speed2Design - An Actual Experience
May 28, 2012
I want to personally thank Littelfuse, Mouser, Tony Kanaan and his team for providing the Littelfuse Speed2Design contest winners an opportunity to be a part of the KV Racing team for the 2012 Indy 500. It was a once in a lifetime experience that far exceeded all of our expectations. We were treated like family and granted full access to the team garage, track access, paddock area, race as well as the hospitality tent.
TechTalk was one of the highlights that consisted of an overview of the vehicle subsystems, and question & answer discussion with the team chief engineers while we examined the car. We were impressed with the multi-disciplined engineering talent present to monitor and review the real-time data while racing at 220 mph. The crew was also eager to discuss their job responsibilities and share their racing experiences. All of the contest winners at Indy felt that working for a team such as KV racing would be a dream career.
Fast Friday (Carb Day) allowed us to be in the pits and on the track with the team for the last practice session. We were able to view all of the telemetry data as it was streaming on a dozen monitors in the pits. Later the car was totally dissembled except for the engine, inspected and re-assembled in preparation for the race. Tony Kanaan later told us he enjoyed seeing us during the practice.
On race day we saw the final preparation, tech inspection and were allowed on the racetrack while the teams grid the cars prior to the race. It was so exciting to know the entire team by name.
The race was so exciting, we were in first place in the last dozen laps of the race and Tony finished a respectable third overall. Tony and the crew worked extremely hard in the 100-degree heat. Everybody associated with the team was elated; especially after Tony personally thanked the group for their efforts in a speech in the team hospitably tent.
Winning Littelfuse Speed2Design was an excellent opportunity to explore cutting edge technology first hand and expand my network of friends and colleagues.
Our entire experience was unparalleled due to the executive commitment and exemplary planning by the Littelfuse team. Thanks again Gordon Hunter, Rhonda Stratton and the entire Littelfuse team that made this possible.
Sincerely,
Kurt L.
Engineer
Pentwater, Michigan
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