www.DaGaNi.be

 

Participating with two soapboxes to the European championship in Boskov (CZ), this is for us one of the main events for the year.

Information about the track and location can be found here.

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25-7-2008

Back home, the dismantling of the soapboxes started for a profound check. The bob was put again on her rest place/working table, and Gael fitted already new brake disks with an increased diameter on the front wheels. Preparation is continued for the race in Tombeek within 10 days, and more importantly, the race at La Roche en Ardennes, which is part of the ‘Coupe d’Europe’.

 

24-7-2007

My experience of the soapbox European Championship 2008, by Tom Desmet

After my first soapbox experience near Liège, David gave me the opportunity to join him, together with his brother Gael, at the European Championship in Bozkov, some 120km from Prague. I saw this as a great opportunity to visit the Czech Republic for the first time and to get more involved with this beautiful hobby of my colleagues. Great food for low price, nice women, cheap cigarettes and beer, a nice visit to Prague and four stunning descents with the bobcar made this an overall great experience!
As I know David is involved within many projects, again we can speak of a success. Since he is one of the few who used FEM and CFD techniques for the design of his soapbox, there is a great potential compared to the other experience-based designers. With growing driving experience I believe he has a great chance to rise within the European category.
Although for me it’s mostly the fun that counts during the descent, our fastest time of 1’48’’ gave us a satisfying tenth place, which is quite an achievement for a first time participant in the category which is named the Königsklasse with the most experienced drivers driving the fastest soapboxes.

 

22-7-2008

Thanks to a lovely photographer, we got our hands on some nice photo's

Photographs from www.fotocermak.cz

21-7-2008

Back home, making an good analysis and jugement of this championship is the main priority. In the bobcar category David & Tom ended 10th. Gael ended in the C4 category 21th, which was for him quite dissapointing.

Downhill rear co-pilot view video (David & Tom) / Downhill bob side view video (Olivier & Sandrine)

 

Gael driveby / Benoit driveby

 

19-7-2008

Day 3 was a day with mixed feelings, the first descents for the Bob went well and a lot of potential is still available in the car, but it is the driver who has to increase its drivers' skils now. The second heat's times where cancelled because of heavy rain starting in the middle of the category’s heat. Nice comparisons about the weather differences and their influence are both videos, taken from two Belgian bobcars starting only 4 minutes after each other. The first one is sticking to the ground, the second one goes straight ahead in the turn.

Gael in soapbox 3 was a bit unlucky after two spins in two consecutive heats due to missing grip on the rear wheels. Front suspension will be stiffened and rear tires will be deflated in order to solve this problem.

A lot of videos and photos will follow after the race.

 

18-7-2008

Waiting queue for scutineering / Brake test / Close inspection / Approval sticker / Visit to Prague

17-7-2008

Installed in the hotel, Tom & Gael preparing and testing the brakes on Gael's soapbox and working on details. On the left, the beautiful soapbox of Jean Paul Viqueray, our fellow companion on this trip. Afterwards we did a small test on the road. Tomorrow scutineering will take place together with the first briefings. Afterwards a trip to Prague is planned.

16-7-2008

Arrival at hotel Helena in Rokytnice nad Jizerou.

Visited in the evening the circuit at Bozkov some 20km trough small mountain routes and installed the tent. Tomorrow first day of soapbox preparation, testing some small things and subscribing at the organization stand.