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INTER COMPANY CORRESPONDENCE
FILE DATE
November 12, 1969
CODE
TO - NAME DEPT- Special DIVISION PLANT/OFFICE
II. P. Bruns Vehicle Development Engineering Office Highland Park
- NAME DEPT- Circuit Racing DIVISION PLANT/OFFICE
W. P. Wright Vehicle Operations Space Huntsville
October Report For Huntsville Circuit Racing Test Operations, Department 4190
The Chrysler Huntsville Circuit Racing Test Operations began formal operations
15 October 1969 when the Inter-Plant Agreement was approved by the Mopar Comptroller.
Notice of Pratt Avenue building lease approval by the Mopar Comptroller was
received 27 October 1969.
Activities during the month included instrumentation test support to Rockingham
track test vehicle (Car 88) October 16 and 17.
The Mobile Control Center was moved to the Rockingham track 21 October and
remained for pre-race activities and the race day scoring operations 25 October. The
computer scoring system performed satisfactorily during test and checkout Saturday,
25 October, but failed to give satisfactory results during start of the race Sunday. The
trouble has since been traced to a circuit in the teletypewriter which contained a humidity
sensitive capacitor. The computer manufacturer had warned us of trouble and was in the
process of sending a replacement circuit board. They did not tell us of the humidity
problem. Since the motor home was left unheated during the chilly night and a slight rain
fell Sunday morning, conditions in the vehicle were undoubtably high humidity and is felt
that this caused the problem when loading the computer with the teletypewriter Sunday
morning before race time.
We have since corrected this problem by replacing the circuit board.
In addition we have ordered a power fail safe unit for interface with computer
which will allow us to operate more reliably at remote tracks and possibly on vehicle
auxilliary power. The device senses gross power fluctuations or failures and properly
shuts computer down without destroying the program and memory storage.
Clean up and building preparation for Huntsville Center began on 27 October and
equipment stored at Nickels Engineering was unloaded and placed by 31 October. All
utilities have been turned on, janitorial services arranged and various shop require
ments initiated. Suppliers for auto parts, hardware, electronics parts, welding sup
plies, etc. , have been arranged on quick response open end purchase requests. A
necessary air compressor was ordered and a contract let for fabrication and installation
of security bars. Surplus 10 ton air conditioners have been supplied by CTIO but have
not been installed. An electronics shop area and secondary security area are planned
and materials received for fabrication. A parts storage area is being organized and
cabinets are ordered to complete parts organization.
84- 110- 7879 REV. 1-63