My dad, Jay, and I – owners of Online Resources Inc – were sitting in the lobby waiting for our invitation to see behind the double doors, and I couldn’t help but drift back to my six-year-old self and my first memory of what is now known as IndyCar.
Over 25 years had passed since that practice day in May of 1990, when Arie Luyendyk claimed the fastest speed at 221mph. I still remember the red and blue No.30 car streaking around the track: the sights, the sounds, and the smells. I became a fan that day. It was a special time, just my dad and me, sharing what would become a passion for us both.
Our hosts arrived and my thoughts were interrupted as we were ushered into a large warehouse with a single 2014 IndyCar racecar in front of us. Our goal was to collect a digital 3D model of the car and measure it against the original design, or computer-aided design (CAD). What we didn’t realise was the hidden test before us, which had been set by IndyCar in order to prove our skills and equipment.
Put to the test
We were then told an area of the car had been manipulated, and we needed to locate this altered area. As we set up the 3D laser scanner we discussed the best process and got underway. My dad drove the computer and I had the $100,000 3D scanner we were using to collect the data. After 15 minutes of data collection, we compiled the scans and compared them to the original CAD design. As the IndyCar engineers looked over our shoulders the pressure was on. Trying to balance speed and quality, the report came to life. I was thrilled to see a bright red zone in a green sea of compliance; this told us we had found the spot.
This story is from the April 2020 edition of Racecar Engineering.
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This story is from the April 2020 edition of Racecar Engineering.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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