Title : Lil’ Journey 'Calamaro'
Author : Mr. Kounna
Type : Series
Disclaimer : We own the plot
A/N : It's not really beta-ed.
660 centimeter cube (cc) or 0.66
liters is how big the heart of the little car born in Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia, UTM Skudai.
The engine that creates the power
to give life to the car comes from a Perodua Viva, a national car product of
Perodua.
This is the life, the story of the little buggy car named
Calamaro.
The year 2011 marked the start of
the life of Calamaro. A team of young future engineers got together and started
laying out ideas, drafting the plans for the 660 cc engine given by Perodua.
Engineering knowledge was utilized, and teamwork was ensured in the small
family of young engineers to be.
From the small petrol based
engine that became the heart of the Calamaro, the team worked to ensure a working
car to come out of their working base in UTM. Slowly, the engine is engineered
to have working shafts and wheels, in summary a working mechanical and
electrical system for the car to work.
It was June 26, 2011. Scorching
sun accompanied the preparation of Calamaro and its team at Melaka
International Motorsports Circuit or MIMC. There were no signs of clouds in the
sky making the temperature of the track slightly unbearable. It seemed to be a
challenging day for the little Calamaro.
Noon arrived, and final settings
of the car were done before it was wheeled out onto the starting grid. With a
light fiber glass body, and light steel structure, Calamaro got ready to be in
action. The hot sun was burning the other cars on the track; along with their
drivers but it never stopped Calamaro with the only female driver to be looking
ferocious.
3…
2…
1…
The other cars zoomed past
Calamaro, leaving it behind. The team, called Forward or FWD team, rushed to
the silent Calamaro at the starting grid. Panic aroused in the team, as
Calamaro stayed unmoving and silent. Few trials to start the engine failed.
Calamaro continued to stay stationary, silent amidst the light sounds of the
other 660 cc engine brethrens.
An electrical glitch, preventing
the engine from giving life to the little Calamaro was identified. Team FWD
worked on fixing the problem, just to give Calamaro a chance to give chase to
the other cars that were already passing by it for a few laps.
…
And Calamaro left the starting
grid even as the other cars already has started to use their fuel completely
and stranded on the side of the track. Quietly, Calamaro went round the track
and proved itself to be a car that is able to move forward amidst the numerous
challenges. Alas, fate proves to be against the strong willed Calamaro. Time
limit was reached, and it was only able to go for a couple of laps around the
MIMC track.
Devastated, Calamaro entered the
pit. Team FWD accepted the turn of events wholeheartedly, tears accompanied the
return of the silent Calamaro into the pit. But to the shock of many, the hard
work of Team FWD in engineering Calamaro was rewarded in 1
st place
for the engineering category. Tears of devastation were turned into tears of
joy. Calamaro, the hand work of the team, was overjoyed even if no one was able
to see it.
It’s hope? In 2012, it will be
able to compete again.
And this time, Calamaro R2 will
get away from the starting grid and go round the track along with the other
660cc powered cars.
Calamaro R2 aimed to be better.
“2012.. I’ll be there” was the
whispers of Calamaro at the end of the race day. The whispers were carried away
by the wind, marking the determination and hope of Calamaro to be evolved into
something better. And Calamaro depends heavily on the handiwork of the next
team in line, so it will be able to perform for the sake of the team’s success.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………........................................................................
The year 2012; is a year to
perhaps turn over a new leaf for Calamaro. For about 8 months it sits quietly
in the Automotive Development Center, UTM Skudai. It waits for the next
generation of engineers to take over and bring the best out of it.
March 2012.
The team is constructed from
scratch, taking in experienced members from 2011’s FWD team to be mixed with
fresh bloods from the engineering course. Calamaro’s heart continues to rest,
until someone can pump it full with life again. A week into March, Calamaro was
being sought upon by the new team, FORTECH. A revolution of FWD, in hopes of
learning from past mistakes and be better for the sake of Calamaro R2.
The 660cc engine was assembled
carefully, and life was given by the engine department. They worked in
improving the heart of Calamaro, before it can be mounted onto the new
structure of the revolutionized version of Calamaro. Numerous studies were
conducted in order to understand the way Calamaro’s engine work.
The correct engine settings were
determined, and engineering analyses were conducted to ensure the best
performance can be extracted. Calamaro R2 waits quietly in the shadows as its
heart is given life to. Again, the engine is ensured to have working wheels
attached. The whole system is ensured to be working perfectly this time with
the correct engineering knowledge, and proper engine settings.
Without proper structure that
builds the chassis, the engine of Calamaro R2 might never be able to move and
be free at last. Made from mild steel, it has the rigidity needed for the
structure of Calamaro R2. The strength and durability of the structure ensures
Calamaro R2’s life to be long lasting. Every single parts or systems that helps
in ensuring Calamaro R2 is able to work perfectly depends heavily on the strong
structure, and thus it will create a stable chassis for Calamaro R2.
As the heart of the
revolutionized Calamaro is being tweaked upon to make it give a good life,
suspensions and brakes are mounted onto the structure. Good handling of
Calamaro R2 is ensured with these systems of a double wishbone suspensions and
also great braking system with energy saver tires from Michelin.
It seems Calamaro R2 is eager to
get onto the track. With rack and pinion steering system, Calamaro R2 blurs out
of the ADC, and went around the campus. The car was quick and nimble. As it
goes around, the body shell continues to be fabricated. Made from fiber glass,
the body is light and strong, able to withstand forces without being too heavy.
With a design of a calamari as before, the body was constructed accordingly to
fit into the structure of Calamaro R2 perfectly.
Calamaro R2.
Theme of red, white and black is
still hold this year.
What’s this? Calamaro R2 seems to
be smiling big.
A proper interior design
accompanies the car. Snug fit carpet that covers the metal floor, soft padded
walls at the sides, insulated firewall at the back of the driver to separate
the cockpit from the engine compartment, and even a dash panel with aesthetics
value.
So all in all, Calamaro R2 is
grinning from suspension arm to suspension arm. Well, not like it has ears for
starters.
Wonder what this year’s
competition has in store for our little buggy car, Calamaro R2?
Tomorrow’s the race day for time
attack category. And Sunday comes the longest distant challenge.
Perhaps, we can all gather at
MIMC and see what Calamaro R2 has to offer to us, shall we?
“See you guys there”, the
whispers whooshes around as Calamaro R2 zoom away to MIMC.
p.s: This is our first story of calamaro. Hopefully you guys will like it. Feel free to leave your comments so we know your thought.
Look.Think.Move Forward Beyond Others
