Power Racing Series season wrapup: i3’s medal count: Nine!

I3 Power Sports has completed another hugely successful season of PPPRS racing. We fielded two cars this year, and both collected a good number of medals, for 9 total. I3 was represented at all three races: Kansas City MO, Detroit, and Evanston IL. The I3 banner and name were on display, and there was a lot of contact with other maker-spaces and event-coordinators. That contact alone could define this as a successful endeavor for the space, but a big clutch of medals is nice too!

The season began in late June at Kansas City Maker Faire. Car #13, racing as SuperLuminal Racing, made the trip. As a brand new car and team, this was somewhat of a ‘shake-out’ race. Despite that, the car performed well, we qualified second, and we took home two bronze and a silver. It was also discovered that ‘SuperLuminal Racing’ is more syllables than the announcer likes to say, so we adjusted for future races.

When it comes to fine-tuning the performance of your racing car and ensuring its optimal functionality on the track, seeking assistance from an auto parts specialist is crucial. If you’re aiming to improve your racing team’s performance like SuperLuminal Racing, visiting a reputable auto parts specialist becomes even more essential. So, when it’s time to take your racing endeavors to the next level, make sure to go here and discover the top-notch products that can propel your car and team to victory. By exploring their extensive range of high-performance parts and accessories, you can find the components needed to fine-tune your car’s engine, enhance its aerodynamics, and maximize its speed and agility.

The biggest race of the season took place at Detroit Maker Faire in July, and both i3 teams competed. #3 was freshly rebuilt before the Faire, and #13 (now “Tiger Hacker”) was running at half-power due to a controller issue. Despite this, we still represented. Our own Karen “Cannonball” Corbeill, on #3, took gold in the 15-lap races and the endurance race, finishing first for the weekend. Sean on #13 was handicapped on speed but buoyed by reliability, and managed to take bronze in the enduro.

The season finale took place at Evanston IL’s Mini-Maker Faire. Both of our teams made the trip, and the field was again large, with just a few less teams than Detroit’s race. The track was short and tight, which favored both of our teams. Sean was back to full speed on #13, and laid down the fastest qualifying lap. Even after multiple attempts by multiple teams to beat it, the time stood at 14.8 seconds. I3 took 3rd and 4th in the drag races, and then Cannonball cleaned up on #3, taking bronze in the 15-lap heats and gold in the endurance race, earning I3 2nd overall for the series!

Thanks to Jim Burke, Patrick Callahan, and the whole crew at PS:1 for putting on the races. And Thank You to Tom G. from Milwaukee Makerspace for loaning us an awesome controller for #13.

Maker Faire 2012: After Party i3:photobooth

Over the weekend was this years Detroit Maker Faire.

We built, Make and Partied the weekend away!

On friday creators spent the day at i3 putting the finishing touches on their creations, while others prepared for the party saturday night. The space was spotless as a dedicated group stayed over night and constructed a photo booth which became a huge success at the party.

i3Detroit’s PowerWheels teams took 1st(#3) and 3rd(#13-Sean’s car) in the endurance race Sunday. Saturday, i3 took 1st in the 15 lap road course. There is a “YES”(1st place) medal that has been added to the trophy cabinet. For the Power Racing Series, Detroit was weekend 2 of 3, so we head to Chicago next weekend and hopefully all kick some butt to bring home so real trophies!

The party may not have won any awards this year, but we still had fun!! El Guapo taco truck came out, as did Treat Dreams, and Meed by B nektar to help party the night away.  Sunday at least 5 projects from i3 walked away with editor choice ribbons.

Maker Faire Detroit is coming up fast!

Two bits of Maker Faire news to share. First, it looks like i3 Detroit will be hosting the official Maker Faire afterparty. Details to follow, but the murmurs I hear from the planning team are interesting indeed.

Second, an email went out from Maker Faire yesterday:

The Maker Faire Detroit Call for Makers has been extended to accommodate the tremendous response we have received from groups and individual Makers! You now have until Friday, June 15th to complete your application or start the process.

Thanks to all the Makers that have already completed their applications, we have been accepting applications weekly. We will be sending the Maker Manual with all the information you need as well as the agreement in the next couple of weeks. Once you sign and return that agreement to us, we will place you in the Faire.

All applications must be submitted no later than 5 pm Friday, June 15, 2012. http://www.makerfairedetroit.com/call-for-makers/

 Thanks and we’ll see you soon!

The Maker Faire Detroit Team

So if you were previously unaware (as I was) of the closing date, there you have it! Another week to put the finishing touches on the project…

Maker Faire Detroit Planning Meeting This Friday

This Friday, May 11th, at 7:30pm, we will be having some guests from The Henry Ford museum over at i3 Detroit to answer questions about exhibiting a project or volunteering at Maker Faire. Please come with ideas and questions you might want to get answered about our favorite event of the year!

This event is open to the public, so we expect plenty of other makers in the area to attend. What a great chance to meet new makers!

Note: Parking in front of the building is likely to fill up, so please consult this map for overflow areas.

Also note: Open Shop Friday will be taking place as usual, with the caveat that loud tools shouldn’t be used until the meeting wraps up, perhaps 9:00-ish.