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| September 12, 2008. Day 93 - Whitehorse, YT - Don't mess with this solar car! |
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While the solar car was on display by Whitehorse Performance Centre, I took the opportunity to catch up on some maintenance, make a new steering rod. When the rodend sheared off the suspension collapsed and bent the steering rod, we were able to straighten it up on the road (good choice of material) using a mallet and place it back on the car. Wayne from Mobile Maintenance offered to help with any machining I may need. So, back to the shop, the smell of cutting fluid, grease, etc... I felt right at home. It reminded me the countless hours I spent at Seneca College working with the boys (Rob, Kevin, Patrick, Ken) working on the metal components for the solar car. We had to make two push steering rods, cut, drill and tap. As well, fabricate a new main steering rod. There is always room for improvement, a few little small changes were made. Nothing special, just added a grip/groove to facilitate adjusting the wheel alignment without using tools. I like smart, tool less designs. The first order of the day for me was to take the steering apart and bring the parts to Mobile Maintenance. Thanks Jim for allowing Wayne time to work on the solar car. We also started to work onto mounting a weather station but we ran out of time. So, I'll get to the weather station at the next opportunity. Had to run a few errands, looking for parts, getting parts made, etc... the day went by fast. We (mainly Wayne) got the parts made. Thanks Wayne. At the end of the afternoon, I was back at Whitehorse Performance Centre assembling the steering. Presto! it was all good to go. Mark Prins was helping me bring the solar car back to Phelipe's metal shop for the night. I hopped on the solar car and drove for a few blocks to have a fell for the steering. I puled into a side street and in seconds an RCMP car pulled next to me. The officer was inquiring about the legality of the solar car, its registration, etc... shortly after a lady walked towards the officer, looked him straight in the eye and said -" Excuse me!, Are you towing or doing anything to to solar car?", the officer replied -"no", the young french speaking lady said "- Good, because I like this car, I like the project and no one is going to do anything to it!" and she walked away. WOW!. Talking about speaking out your mind. That's was pretty cool. Thank you for the moral support. It made my day, to think an estrange would stand up to the police to defend the solar car. Shortly after another RCMP vehicle arrived, I was happy to show and talk a bit more about the project to the officers. Interesting to see how much support there is outside "Ontario". Everyone welcomes the project with open arms both authorities and the community. Thank you all! Hopefully the province of Ontario (nicked named in the Yukon "the center of the universe") will learn from the rest of the world. I have met so many people here from Ontario. Most say the same thing. They either fell in love with the spell of the Yukon or they got feed up with Ontario's attitude. Ontario is still home for me but it breaks my heart what Ontario's Premier Mr.Dalton McGuinty allowed Mr.Harinder Takhar do when he was Minister of Transportation to stop me from driving in Ontario. Oh well, I guess I'll just keep on inspiring people at other places for the time being :) While other solar car (solar taxi) is allowed to drive on public roads, Ontario's on XOF1 solar car project was forbidden. Could some one please explain this one to me? |
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