Design contest announced!

[thebeerbaron]

I don't know why this hasn't been released on this forum yet, but the details on the design contest are available over on the Grassroots Motorsports forum.

Go here (http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/design/)

Good luck to all!

[Olimk2]

You beat me for a few minutes, so i try to delete my thread...good luck for all!
So far little infos hope this change!

[thebeerbaron]

It's those lazy electrons, they took their time getting across the Atlantic. Good luck!

I'm almost relieved at the openness of the contest so far. No mention of cupholders, rear-seat entertainment, or heated and massaging seats. The possibilites are limitless!

[Mintun]

OK, so the contest is pretty much a blank sheet of paper, however, a chassis does exist. I think I can speak for everybody in asking to see pictures and the design of the chassis. What parts are firm, what parts are open to adjustment with the accepted body design. Some basic questions need answers such as what type of suspension is used? What parts from the Subie will be used besides the engine? Front or side/rear radiator? Lots of questions need answers. Need input.

Besides the design details, the marketing plan/ direction is also important. Who is this car targeted for? What is it's primary focus? The specs would suggest a lighter, quicker, better quality Lotus Elise/ Exige. The sharp end of the performance pencil is already occupied by the GTM. Where does this car fit?

[Olimk2]

I agree, too much guessing!

[keys2heaven]

I agree. Even though I am not a designer, I thought that a chassis view would be forthcoming. Intakes, roof line, stance, etc.. will be dependent on what the chassis looks like.

Of course, I don't see anything posted on FF's site yet, so maybe a chassis view will be posted there.

[Rotr8]

The only thing I have a slight 'arrrgggh' for is you cant even buy a kit with the prize money, maybe if you opt to use that money(first prize) you'd get a kit?

[RedJoker]

Did anyone notice that the front track width is 1.5 inches wider than the rear?

[AVIONX]

Are there amy subarati that can let us know if the track includes or excludes any years of WRX? I know someone said there are 2 different sizes of track for WRX or STI. Thanks.

[Magnus]

Presumably they are just looking for a general design sketch, based on the templates available and then ducts and wings and fins will have to be "squinted" into place.

[Mad Dog]

Hi everyone,

We're putting the finishing touches on Factory Five's web and forum post this morning. We'll have it posted in a little bit.

[Oppenheimer]

OK, I like the idea of the design contest, and I really like that its not us that picks the winner (one look at the name-it thread would explain why). But I'd still like to be able to see the entries and give feedback. I don't want us to be the judge or jury, but I would like us to have the chance to voice opinions for the judges to hear.

I don't know how to accomplish that without it turning into a free-for-all. Perhaps the entires can be posted somewhere, with space for people to comment? Maybe the judges filter out the ones that they want to get feedback on, and only those get posted for comment?

The judges may decide its best to just let them pick, they've already gotten a lot of feedback from the design discussions in other threads here, and I'm OK with that. But my preference is to see & comment on them.

[Dave Smith]

We've got a great panel of Judges assembled (will post this soon) and the plan is to post entries here in a blog format so that you guys can see the evolving ideas. We need to keep comments positive (we dont want to discourage a 9 year old kid who is excited about sending in a design). I've been out for a while but am hitting this full speed today!

Dave Smith

[Kasmodean]

I agree, shouldn't the frame be included on the templates so we don't design something that can't work with the set frame.

If you are reluctant to release the actual frame, could you post a dummy frame with the outer dimensions marked? This is important to determine the shape the car can use. Whether it be a traditional design or F1 shaped :) Plus the frame picture on the contest page shows the rear height to be pretty high. If that was put on the template it could put it in perspective for us.

P.S. For the people asking for marketing information, the contest says you decide the design of the car (retro, modern, replica).

P.S.S. Reading the rules, I don't see anything ruling out multiple entries per person. If you want to limit this it should be added now.

[spaceywilly]

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/media/F5%20contest%20media/frame4_drawing.jpeg

This image was on the grasroots contest page. Is this the frame?

edit: found this on the GRM forums from Dave:


That drawing IS an early chassis CAD file, however it has evolved a bit since then. The subaru running gear has been scanned and the suspension, drivetrain, steering has been designed. The engineers are working on the "go kart" right now and we will have driving data before the body is done. Once the contest is over and we announce winners, we will decide on the final shape (we may use all of, part of, or simply inspiration from the winners and submissions) and go rapidly to body shaping and molds, which will be made quickly due to our relationship with Solidworks and their 3-D support of this project.

Good luck to all you guys. We MAY release chassis drawings, but the engineering team is concerned (for good reason) that we may want to make changes and we don't want to slow down the team with customer scrutiny and feedback on a design that is undergoing testing. I think I can speak from a position of strength in saying that Factory Five's are known for their chassis design and so lets focus on a fun shape that will prove that a small company, with support from a hard-core racing/performance car community and creativity can do what big companies are unable to do!

[fuoriserie]

Just a very rough sketch I had played around in the last few weeks without using the templates posted...

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/Fuoriserie/BOZZETTI%20Fuoriserie%202011/img253-1-1.jpg

[Doc_FFR]

It didn't say anything about being "wookiee friendly" on the requirements, someone needs to add that part.

[Olimk2]

Nice one Fuoriserie, very Italian flavored, stylish!

[Cobra Cory]

I'm missing something. How do you use the templates without knowing the height of any of the frame parts, length or width, door opening dimensions, etc?

[David Hodgkins]

I'm missing something. How do you use the templates without knowing the height of any of the frame parts, length or width, door opening dimensions, etc?

DS has stated that he doesn't want to constrain the design, and that FFR can redesign the frame to the body rather than the other way-round. FFR may post a driver and engine mockup to help with those dimensions however..

HTH

:)

[keys2heaven]

Just a very rough sketch I had played around in the last few weeks without using the templates posted...

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/Fuoriserie/BOZZETTI%20Fuoriserie%202011/img253-1-1.jpg

Very nice. I like the rounded body. I'm partial to the F-16 on wheels look.