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Our Design

Formula Shifter

            A joystick style shifter is our chosen design of the Formula shifter.  We chose to use this setup because it is easy to manufacture, simple mechanism, very durable, easy to learn, and any one that can drive a manual car can use this.  We will place the mechanism in the side pod so it will not interfere with the driver.  The only part that will be in the cockpit is the shift lever.

 Figure 8: Pro-e model of the formula shifter design

Baja Shifter

The Baja shifter does not offer many options being that the current transmission only allows gear selection while the vehicle is at a stop, so we decided that the “joystick” shifter would be the best option.  We chose this design because it is simple, durable, easy to manufacture, and easy to learn if you do not already know how.

Figure 9: Pro-e model of the shifter for the Baja car

Pedal Tray

The Baja will use a below-reverse assembly where the master cylinder and linkages are below and behind where the foot contacts the pedal.  We have chosen this setup because it allows the pedals to be further forward.  We have to do this because the rules state that the Baja car cannot be over a certain length.  This setup will have all of the mechanical parts in a sub floor below the driver’s feet so that nothing will be in the cockpit for the driver to catch with his feet.  The formula will continue to use a below-forward assembly.  This is good for the formula car because it allows the driver’s feet to stay low and there is nothing for the driver’s feet to contact.  It does require the driver’s feet to be a little closer to the front, which is not a concern because we have plenty of room in the formula cockpit.

Figure 10: Pedal tray designs