Sunday 26 July 2009

Our condolences to DAS Racing

Bendigo Youth Racing would like to convey our condolences to the DAS Racing team following the sad news of the passing of a team member during the 9 hour event in Adelaide yesterday. Whilst we were not trackside at the second round of this year's Australian HPV Super Series, we hear that one member of the team passed away whilst competing for the team.

DAS Racing have had our respect for many years as they work hard to pass on their HPV knowledge to others and build great vehicles.

This tragic event reminds us that whilst we train our bodies to be fit and strong, people are fragile. The unexpected can happen at any time and with this sad news I hope we all cherish our opportunities in racing and in life with a renewed energy.

Tuesday 7 July 2009

How do you choose a name?


We here at BYR have spent a of time lately brainstorming vehicle names for our new rig. Over the past six years we've stuck to a Formula 1 inspired naming system:

We are proud of our history, but are now consulting the dictionary for some new terms. 'Consulting' is a loose term, since it involves opening to any page and pointing with a finger.

How do you choose a name?
Let us know in the Comments section.


This process has also made me reflect today about team names of the past and I think they tend to fit into a few different categories:

'Noble' Names
These names draw on inspirational qualities or characteristics and tend to end in 'ous'
Some examples include Tenacious, Intensus, Alchemy, Conquistador, Rampage, Intrepid, Rapacious.

'Race Team' & Sponsored Names -
The team might be sponsored or wanting to add a professional touch.
eg. DAS Racing, Bendigo Bank BYR, Trend Ice.

Names with 'you-had-to-be-there' in-jokes -
Over the journey of building the vehicle, the team have had a share experience or joke that has stuck.
Eg, 'Molten Chicken' (BSSC 2001), Parade College's 'Big Papa' (2008) or Highview's '3-Nil' (2006)

'Fun' for the heck of it Names -
For those times when it all gets a bit too serious, it's great to know there are prepared to put a shoe in the front of the vehicle and call it 'The Shark', or Bendigo Senior's 'Bukkamalzir', 'The Battered Sav' or 'Grug'.

Acronym & Alphanumeric Names -
Using the flexibility of the English language, teams have been exploiting this one for years!
Flora Hill's 'WAMTOS' (We Actually Made This Ourselves) and 'Carbon8' or Padua College's 'XLR8' are some famous examples.

Characteristic names -
Here you take a unique aspect of a vehicle and incorporate it into the team name.
A four wheeler called 'N4Sir' or a front wheel drive, rear wheel steer vehicle with a differential called 'Moby Diff' or a half composite monocoque/half cromo-framed hybrid called 'Half-Coqued'.

Traditional School Names -
Year in, year out this school photocopies the previous entry form and sends it in, sometimes with some small variation for 'fun'.
A bit confused? Think the Wonthaggi 'Wizards', Berwick 'Fire____', Aberfoyle 'Hubcaps', St Therese's 'Eco Racers'

So, how do you choose a name?