eSleek22 - the moment of truth

Sponsor ride in the Stauferpark in Göppingen

Created by Dipl.-Ing. (TU) Stefan Merkle

10/25/2022

As sponsors of the Formula Student e-Team of the DHBW Stuttgart, we are of course pleased when we, in this case Chadi, Maik and I, are also allowed to physically drive the eSleek22 racing car, which Merkle CAE Solutions knows inside out, at least from the virtual aerodynamics side. Only Martina chickened out. A race car is just not a Harley.

So we didn't have to think twice about the invitation of the Formula Student racing team for October 15, 2022 to the sponsor race in the Stauferpark in Göppingen, and the three of us traveled there.

Upon arrival, it was raining cats and dogs. But the weather forecast promised that the rain would let up around half past noon, which it promptly did.

As a silverback, I am entitled to the first ride on the eSleek22 in accordance with earlier, medieval customs, which of course I did not want to be deprived of. However, between the pleasure first stood a challenge: namely, my steeled, unfortunately in the meantime a little too cuddly body to squeeze into the fireproof, cut to waist racing stimulus clothing. Even with the best will in the world, the zipper of the overalls was not willing to close. Probably I was not the first, to which it went in such a way, of which the cable tie at the zipper let close. Thus I missed probably the route introduction.

But what the heck, that did nothing to dampen my anticipation of driving (see Figure 1) and according to the waiver, I bear my own risk anyway.

So we didn't have to think twice about the invitation of the Formula Student racing team for October 15, 2022 to the sponsor race in the Stauferpark in Göppingen, and the three of us traveled there.

Upon arrival, it was raining cats and dogs. But the weather forecast promised that the rain would let up around half past noon, which it promptly did.

But what the heck, that did nothing to dampen my anticipation of driving (see Figure 1) and according to the waiver, I bear my own risk anyway.

Maik as the next driver kept, unlike me, very closely to the route, but was on the road with a racing speed, which was more reminiscent of a rollator driver and would have been considered in normal traffic as an obstruction. (Note from Maik: "At least I fit in the suit!" 😊) Since he is mostly on the road with the bike, I understand that yes.

confidence and skepticism — Figure 5: Maik full of confidence ...

As the third driver, Chadi had enough time to learn from the mistakes made by his esteemed predecessors and set the best lap time of the three of us with the race car. However, this was only until Marc, our student trainee who had arrived in the meantime, showed him what he was capable of in terms of lap times. This is where age mercilessly strikes even my managers in their prime.

In particular, there were no injuries this time, after Chadi's shoulder fracture at the last company event was followed by the Employer's Liability Insurance Association, which forced all known and unknown regulations on us, and since then Merkle CAE Solutions has been operating like a major corporation in terms of safety.

What would be an event, if not also for the small hunger in between was provided and so we were supplied by the Formula Students race team in the best way with steaks and sausages and drinks.

On the way back to Heidenheim, Mother Franzl on the Kuchalb happened to be on the way. Since in the meantime the afternoon had dawned, we couldn't say no to apple cakes with vanilla ice cream for coffee.

All in all, we had a very entertaining day in Göppingen and we already agree that Merkle CAE Solutions will also sponsor the next design and racing team of the DHBW Stuttgart at the eSleek23.

Thanks again to the whole Formula Students team and the excellent support and organization.