A Short Recap of the Trip (Full Version to Come)

Hey everyone! This past week, the MGCI Moonbuggy team made the long trip down south to sweet home Alabama to compete in NASA's Great Moonbuggy Race. In the days before the race, the team constructed the buggy on site at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville and made some final adjustments. 

With almost a hundred teams from all over the world, the MGMT saw plenty of intriguing designs from newcomers and experienced competitors alike. One by one, all of the teams made their way down the racetrack – some with ease, some pushing and shoving their buggy along. After passing the measurements test and weigh-in, the MGMT buggy headed to the starting line. 

Eyeing the obstacles ahead, the buggy and riders were off to a quick start. The buggy decked with Canadian flags  caught air on the first obstacle, but came down too hard on one front wheel. 380 lbs of metal and flesh bent the rim into a taco, as the announcers called it. We did not finish the first run within the eight minute limit. Morale dropped. 

However, on day two, we came back with refreshed vigor. We replaced the taco rim and cut the rear tire treads to prevent rubbing. We raced again. Canada’s first high school team made it across the finish line (on our wheels!) with a raw run time of 7:22, an excellent run for a rookie team.

All in all, the trip down to Huntsville, Alabama was a great success. After a week of having great weather, making dramatic comebacks, and making a bunch of new friends from Greenfield, Indiana, the Moonbuggy team headed back to Toronto with renewed team spirit and a sense of accomplishment. Look for the full update and pictures later this week! In the meantime, the unfortunate first run can be found in the final minutes of this clip and the first few minutes of this clip.