Schroer Receives Royal Award

Roger Schroer, performance driver at Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.), recently traveled with The Ohio State University’s (OSU) Buckeye Bullet team to the Bonneville Salt Flats for Speedweek, in hopes to break last year’s electric vehicle speed record.  The Bullet, named BB3, was to be driven by Roger, who is the driver for the Bullet each year.  

The meet was originally scheduled for September 12-18, however, a large storm system flooded the salt flats, leading to eventual postponement of the event. Venturi, the primary sponsor of the Buckeye Bullet, arranged to have the team work out of an airport hanger located in Wendover, Utah.  On the airstrip, the team was also able to conduct some low speed testing on one of their taxiways. Since the BB3 is still being developed, every test run is important, and the team learned a great deal about the car.

Venturi, the sponsor of the Buckeye Bullet, is located in the European country of Monaco.  Thierry Apparu of Venturi is an acquaintance of the royal family in Monaco, leading to a visit by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene on September 18^th.  Roger Schroer presented the Prince with a racing helmet which is a duplicate of the one worn while driving the Buckeye Bullet.  Prince Albert then presented a medal to Roger Schroer, which was the first time a medal had ever been presented outside of the palace.

The team plans to return to Bonneville in 2014 in an effort to raise the electric vehicle record above 400 MPH.  You can learn more about the BB3 at www.buckeyebullet.com/BB3.html.

TRC Inc. Builds New IIHS Crash Test Fixture

TRC Inc.’s Impact Laboratory recently built a crash test fixture used to conduct The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Small Overlap Frontal Crashworthiness Evaluation.  The fabrication of the fixture was completed in August. 

The IIHS is an independent, nonprofit scientific and educational organization dedicated to reducing the losses (deaths, injuries and property damage) from crashes on the nation's roads.  On August 14, 2012, IIHS released the details of this more demanding frontal offset test.  The Small Overlap Frontal Crashworthiness Evaluation, used in addition to the 40% offset test introduced in 1995, subjects only 25% of the front end of the vehicle to a 40 mph impact.   The test is designed to duplicate what happens when the front corner of a car collides with another vehicle or strikes a slim object, such as a utility pole or tree.  

The rating system is similar to the 40% offset, but has some key differences: hip/thigh and lower leg/foot ratings replace individual ratings for each leg and foot, and a full score cannot be attained without deployment of side and side curtain airbags (due to severe side movement often resulting from this test).

Visit our website to learn more about TRC Inc.’s Impact Laboratory and capabilities.