Having a solid rest overnight at the hotel to recover from Tuesday's drive, early this morning the team arrived at Michigan International Speedway for registration and technical inspection. All attending team members were registered and approved to represent the University of Minnesota Formula SAE team during the competition. Following registration and prior to technical inspection, minor changes were made to the vehicle including replacement of short-threaded suspension bolts as well as securing the rapid-prototyped intake that was removed during transportation for safety purposes.

The first step in the inspection process was verification that driver's gear was up to regulations and safe for competition use. Unfortunately, the team only had one set of fireproof socks. While this passes the official regulations, the team would have be at a disadvantage for the driver exchange during the endurance event (Saturday). To avoid this setback, two new pairs of fireproof socks were purchased from a local retailer. Following equipment inspection, the team received a low "tech number" of 27. This meant that once technical inspection opened at 2:00pm (Eastern), our team would be allowed to enter technical inspection as the 27th vehicle.

At 1:58pm, the vehicle entered the technical inspection line. Under the judge's inspection, only one item was found in non-compliance with the rules: the fuel level fill tube. It was highly recommended by the judges that the fill tube be changed to be more easily viewed by the competition volunteers who would be filling the fuel for the dynamic events. This problem was easily addressed by replacing the old fill tube with a clear flexible tube from a local hardware store.

Having replaced the tube, the vehicle received its first technical inspection sticker. Our team was told that the University of Minnesota's vehicle was the 6th team in the competition to pass successfully through technical inspection, a task that has not been completed this early by the team in over four years.

Tonight, our team will split paths, as some address academic matters such as taking/studying for final exams, while others prepare for the marketing, design, and cost presentations that will occur tomorrow. Tomorrow, the team will give the presentations as well as attempt the tilt, noise, and brake tests. Historically the brake test has been the most challenging qualifying event, as it is requires the driver to lock all four wheels and skid to a stop. Check back tomorrow to hear about the team's progress!