Nationals 2018

[MadCow2357]

On the subject of "speckles of dust", bring a swiffer if youre really worried and clean the track. I did this both years for electric vehilce, but honestly nearly all top 20 teams did this in division C so I really didnt end up pickung much dirt off the track

I will definitely bring a Swiffer!

[JonB]

I did this both years for electric vehilce, but honestly nearly all top 20 teams did this in division C so I really didnt end up pickung much dirt off the track

For the sake of accuracy- you made other people do your cleaning at Nationals. haha

We are all inexperienced compare to the legend windu so i guess my approximations aren't exactly realistic

This made me laugh. The man, the myth, the legend... Windu34. I can get his autograph if anyone is interested.

[MadCow2357]

This made me laugh. The man, the myth, the legend... Windu34. I can get his autograph if anyone is interested.

I want it!!!

[windu34]

I did this both years for electric vehilce, but honestly nearly all top 20 teams did this in division C so I really didnt end up pickung much dirt off the track

For the sake of accuracy- you made other people do your cleaning at Nationals. haha

Pro Tip: Harvard loves applicants that know their way around a swiffer

[MadCow2357]

I did this both years for electric vehilce, but honestly nearly all top 20 teams did this in division C so I really didnt end up pickung much dirt off the track

For the sake of accuracy- you made other people do your cleaning at Nationals. haha

Pro Tip: Harvard loves applicants that know their way around a swiffer

LOL will keep that in mind!
By the way you are at Harvard?!!!! Amazing!

[shrewdPanther46]

Is anyone planning on measuring the track there? Thoughts? I've been really debating about this because even small minute changes (like 2 cm or so) can make a big difference in the long run, so advice?

[windu34]

For the sake of accuracy- you made other people do your cleaning at Nationals. haha

Pro Tip: Harvard loves applicants that know their way around a swiffer

LOL will keep that in mind!
By the way you are at Harvard?!!!! Amazing!

No not me, my partner who did the swiffering at nationals will be attending

Is anyone planning on measuring the track there? Thoughts? I've been really debating about this because even small minute changes (like 2 cm or so) can make a big difference in the long run, so advice?

I measured it both times at nationals and it was off by 1-2 cm in 2016 and a few millimeters in 2017 based on the laser distance meter i used iirc. I definitely would recommend double checking using a system that you use when you test just in case your way of measuring it is different than that of the supervisor because it certainly could make the difference. I would caution however if it takes more than 20-30 seconds to measure it, you might want to be careful that you do not run out of time for your runs (took us about 8 seconds to measure it)

[shrewdPanther46]

The problem is, I am not sure if a laser distance measurement thing is allowed, because we aren't allowed electrical devices for aligning. I feel like its kinda shady, so I submitted an FAQ. The way we always practice is with a standard tape measure thing, but I fear that we would either go overtime or cut it very close if we measure the track with it.

[bernard]

The problem is, I am not sure if a laser distance measurement thing is allowed, because we aren't allowed electrical devices for aligning. I feel like its kinda shady, so I submitted an FAQ. The way we always practice is with a standard tape measure thing, but I fear that we would either go overtime or cut it very close if we measure the track with it.

See 3.f.

[shrewdPanther46]

That rule discusses the use of electrical devices for SIGHTING/AIMING, not for figuring out the length of the track.