Our design objective is to
build a concrete toboggan which will achieve the fastest
speed while meeting the limitations outlined in the GNCTR
2000 rules.
To meet our objective we will
balance the characteristics required for optimum speed,
braking, maneuverability, strength and stability while
considering the forces which will be applied to the
toboggan. The concrete running surface should be large
enough to distribute the load over the snow without
sinking in and the weight should be maximized (total
weight to be less than 300 lbs.) to increase speed. It's
centre of drag should be behind its centre of gravity.
The designers must optimize each component for weight and
performance characteristics.
Besides the running surface the
toboggan will have a steel or alluminum frame and a
braking system which will be designed to stop the sled in
as short a distance as possible. This is usually done by
forcing some sort of device into the snow to create a
large drag force. The designer must consider
effectiveness of the brake in various snow conditions or
even on ice.
The Stone Cold design was
completed in July and construction will begin in the fall
with test runs being performed at least 28 days before
the race.
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