Sad news, eco-fans.

Those of you receiving our monthly newsletter will have noted Anthony’s solemn message outlining our financial plight. It is with heavy heart that we confess to a £30,000 shortfall in our budget – lesson one, it would seem, of Trying To Raise A Quarter Of A Million Pounds In A Recession.

The team members travelling to Australia – a mere 15 of us – are now facing the prospect of becoming responsible for this debt individually; potentially £2000 each. That’s on top of our university fees and student loans, which will need paying back. With current graduate debt at an average of £13,000, looking set to soar to £23,000 in future years thanks to the top-up fees system, getting landed with extra, unexpected, debt, is not an appealing prospect.

So we look to you, our friends, to help us out at this critical stage. We hope you will agree that a massive amount of work has gone into the project this year, already resulting in some fantastic accomplishments. So many people have put so much into this project, including, in several cases, a significant quantity of their own money. Team members have, in the past, risen to the level of silver sponsors. It would be a tragedy if our fundamental aim of racing in Australia could not be achieved.

Personal donations will be recognised by our Friends of CUER scheme – any amount you are able to offer will be very gratefully received. If everyone who reads this blog gave £20, we would be a long way towards solving our problems! To donate online, or to take advantage of our Gift Aid option, please visit www.cuer.co.uk/donate or email friends@cuer.co.uk

Corporate sponsors should note that sponsorship packages are still available at all levels. For further information about sponsorship, please visit www.cuer.co.uk/sponsors or email sponsorship@cuer.co.uk

By this stage we have come to understand that, much as we would like to, we cannot bear this burden alone. This is a request for help in any and all forms. People know people who know People – pursue your contacts! Use a bit of persuasion! Already we are £6000 closer to our target, and with your help, we will hopefully reach it. This blog will carry a running total of the amount raised so far, so that everyone can see how much work there is to be done. Please don’t wait for others to donate

As we say here in the ‘bridge: GET KEEN!

- The team

The launch grows ever closer. Interestingly, the launch of our Endeavour should coincide exactly with the launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Fifty quid says one of them doesn’t make it in time…(well, you know NASA)

This week, Affinity was displayed at the Judge Business School Alumni Weekend, where members of the team met Sir Paul Judge. We also exhibited at the CUEN annual conference, which this year was focused on solar power. She then had a lovely weekend down at the Science Museum in London, where sticky-fingered children attempted to poke and prod things as a celebration of the Centenary of the museum. Over 3,500 people attended, 3257 of whom asked “is that a spaceship?”

Clare College Alumni Day was also graced by CUER, while after a week of incredible and almost continuous (24-7) effort, Endeavour was painted white thanks to Stewart at Cambridge Precision. CUER are now offering a prize to the first person who finds Kento’s body clock.

It’s been a packed week. Fairings are being constantly sanded on Coe Fen, and some beautifully lightweight rear wheels arrived from BBS. The car is slowly starting to look like a car!

Also this week, National Instruments held a training day for CUER members, and we received a visit from Lord Watson of Richmond. Affinity had her own bit of limelight at the annual CUTEC Conference in the Guildhall in Cambridge.

Finally, the motor test rig was finished, and the motor spun on it for the first time! Good effort, Rich and Jonathan!

You may have noticed blog posts getting shorter and fewer. That’s because we’re all up to our eyes in eco-car. Anyone who has time to be blogging gets made to do sanding. So we all make sure we keep busy!

Some cars went very fast. It was most unsustainable. Of note, however, was a super deal made, whereby Goodwood Festival of Speed 2009 agreed to host the official launch of Bethany. We have also engaged the services of a top-secret Formula 1 racing driver, whose identity will remain hidden, to launch the car.

No, it’s not the Stig.

The first CUER Annual Dinner was held in Clare College Great Hall. 85 guests, including sponsors, supporters and students, attended the dinner. The food was fabulous, and many thanks to Quinby who undertook a very strategic seating plan such that the most inebriated merry team members were seated well away from sponsors/potential sponsors…except for Cambridge Precision and Rob Martin, who joined in with the drinking merriment wholeheartedly.

Highlight of the evening was definitely Charlie’s speech. Most of us were rather wasted otherwise engaged by this point in the evening, and so cannot remember the actual content, but its deliverance in a wonderful Irish accent was good enough. Mike reckons it was probably along the lines of  “Well, hello dere Ted…”

Afterwards the party continued at various locales around Cambridge. Team members demonstrated some excellent initiative and climbing ability (or, in the case of Lucy and Kento, sliding-in-between-bars ability) when faced with numerous locked gates, and the enjoyment lasted well into the night. The promise of some black-tie clubbing at Fez was unhappily quashed when we arrived too late, and instead went back to Quinby’s room where Barnwell demonstrated some very questionable salsa.

On March 19th the Premier of South Australia, Mike Rann, announced the Global Green Challenge, an evolution of the World Solar Challenge. The solar car race will remain unchanged, but the event will have a broader focus to promote alternative energy vehicles.

“The Global Green Challenge will present hybrid, electric, solar, low emission, and alternative energy vehicles to a world that is now eager to positively engage with practical transport solutions to contribute to a healthy future for the planet,” Mr. Rann said.

The dates of the solar car race are unchanged (25th – 31st October 2009) and more information can be found at www.globalgreenchallenge.com.au

- Anthony

Here’s a quick who’s who of the major slackers players in this year’s team. We’ll all be posting on here from time to time, so get to know us!

(more…)

Welcome to the new CUER blog! We’ll be updating on here constantly as we get ready for the World Solar Challenge 2009. Expect much banter, interesting stories, fascinating technology and, of course, many many photos of what we’re all getting up to in and around the Hopkinson Lab…

Comments are welcome, helpful engineering insights are welcome and banter is welcome.