2007 was a year of change for Redback Racing. After the successes of 2006 using essentially the 2005 design the team embarked on an aggressive set of design changes in a bid to move closer to the top teams of the competition.
The only system on the car that was not heavily redesigned was the braking system.
With this exception every part of the car was redesigned. With an inexperienced team delays in this process resulted in a design that was not finalised until late in the year.
Major changes included a re-profiled front monocoque this resulted in a larger cockpit with more space for the driver and a slight reduction in the amount of time required for manufacture. The entire power train underwent intense scrutiny. This resulted in a more compact rear half of the car and an increase in the loads transferred through the engine.
The suspension system was redesigned. For the first time a dedicated computer simulation program was used in this process. Use of this system allowed the team to better understand the dynamic behaviours of the car and tune the suspension for more control in transient conditions.
Unfortunately the late start to construction impacted with a late finish to the construction of many parts of the car. This resulted in the team appearing at competition with a car that was not ready to be tested in the heat of competition. Static events were generally compromised by a lack of preparation. A fifth place for cost being the best result and showing that the team is starting to understand exactly what is required to be competitive in this event.
Due to electrical, engine mapping and spark problems the team was unable to run in
the first set of dynamic events on Saturday. On Saturday night the team regrouped
and the problems were finally sorted on the Sunday morning allowing the team to
briefly run in the final endurance event. Whilst running the team showed pace that
was equivalent to that showed by teams well within the top five of the competition.
However once again preparation problems were to haunt the team. Fluid leaks
prevented the team from completing the event.
Following a difficult year in 2007 the team approaches 2008 confident in the
knowledge that their fundamental design is quick. The team is hungry to regain the
success that it experienced in 2005 and 2006. With only two members of the 2007
team leaving at the end of 2007 the team is confident of returning to a competitive
place at the 2008 competition.
Written By Tom Webb
Friday 29 February 2008