OR-16

The OR-16 is the third and final edition of the OR-14 body style. This year’s car continued the theme of overall weight loss, with an impressive reduction of almost 50 pounds over the OR-15 car. The Suzuki GSX-R600 remained the powerplant, while bars in the chassis were relocated or removed to save as much weight as possible. The most visible difference between the 16 car and her sisters is the V cutout by the drive’s arms.
The original design called for a single radiator to be used. During testing, however, the engine kept overheating, so the decision was

made to run two smaller radiators. While this did add weight to the car, it increased our chances of surviving the endurance event, one that many teams fail to complete.

Other notable improvements included lighter brake system, increased power output, improved cornering ability, and driver comfort.

The car was completed well in advance of the FSAE Michigan 2016 competition. It was able to run early enough to attend the Formula South Invitational, hosted by KSU Motorsports in February of 2016. We were the only 2016 car in attendance; all teams ran their 2015 cars. This early completion allowed for nearly three full months of testing and modifications. Problems such as overheating and engine reliability were solved well in advance of the competition.

At the competition itself, the car did remarkably well. With the return of some of the European teams, the competition was stiffer than the previous year (aero regulations forced some teams to skip the 2015 competition). Even so, the OR-16 placed 9th in the acceleration event, 24th in autocross, and 33rd overall.
The track this year was extremely dynamic, with crashes, spills, and changing weather all at play. During the autocross day, cars were spinning left and right. One car went through a

barrier; luckily no one was injured. When we went, we managed to get one run in before LSU threw a rod through their engine block, dumping oil all over the back turn around. After red flagging the track and dumping kitty litter all over the turn to soak up the oil, the stage was set. The first cars to go were forced to take the turn at a walking pace. Those that didn’t spun out right in front of the photographers. On our remaining three runs, the car pushed slightly, but our drivers managed to keep her under control.

Endurance was like something out of the movies. It was cold, dark, raining, sleeting, and hailing. You read that correctly. We had done well in autocross, so we were one of the last ones to go that day. The track was declared damp, so some teams were on slicks while others were on wets. The track at this point was a mix of wet and dry spots – cars with slicks would catch up on the dry parts but lose ground and traction on the wet corners. It finally rained and sleeted enough to red flag

everyone and force a tire change to full wets just before we went out.

Green flag is waved and the cars return to the track, along with OR-16. Trent and Stephen had one goal: get the car home. Mr. Lyons went first. No cones were hit and no mechanical issues reported. Mr. Ksionek jumped in and pushed the car to its limits. The checkered flag finally dropped. For the second time in a row, Owls Racing had completed all events.

Competition Results

Overall: 33rd
Acceleration: 9th
Autocross: 24th
Design: 39th T
Endurance: 46th (finished)
Skid Pad: 49th
Business Presentation: 89th

Drivers

Acceleration: Thomas Strickland, Mathew Burgos
Autocross: Trent Ksionek, Stephen Lyons
Endurance: 1st - Stephen Lyons, 2nd - Trent Ksionek
Skid Pad: Steven Stanfield, Marco Cheraso

Competition Photos