GB Bobsleigh development pilot John Stanbridge recently had an amazing opportunity to speak to Joe Reynolds and Stuart Whitehead on the MTD MFG Great British Manufacturing Podcast, an initiative put together to notify and update businesses about current UK manufacturing affairs.
Joe and Stuart where interested to know more about the sport of Bobsleigh and the complex equipment that goes into manufacturing a world class sled. When races are won or lost in hundredths of a second, every marginal gain that equipment can provide counts!
Listen and find out more about the challenges of raising sponsorship and the complex equipment aspects of Bobsleigh by clicking the link or image below!
Equipment factors
The Bob team Stanbridge Sled
A 2-man sled weighs in at 170kg and is constructed of a carbon fibre composite body attached to a steel frame. Carbon fibre is used due to its lightweight and strength properties.
Fully loaded with the pilot and brakeman the 2-man sled weighs in at 390kg and a 4-man sled at 630kg, the weight and sled design is regulated within the governing race series rules https://www.ibsf.org/en/
2- man sleds can reach speeds of up to 85mph and the fastest recorded 4-man sled reached an incredible speed of 97mph at the Whistler Track in Canada.
A brand new world class 2-man sled can cost in excess of £55,000 where as a 4-man sled could reach up to £90,000.
Steel runners make the contact between the sled and the ice at 4 points, these are much like the tyres on a car. The width and thickness can determine the speed of a sled.
Round up
John Stanbridge and the whole of Bob team Stanbridge are grateful to MTD MFG's Joe and Stuart for featuring something a little different on the podcast. Exposure is important to the team as we seek out Corporate Sponsorship to compete on the upcoming European Cup Season. Special mention goes out to Make UK Head of Communications Mark Swift for putting us in touch.
It is continuous battle on and of the ice to compete, Follow our journey through this blog and if your interested in supporting the team please email john_bobsleigh_stanbridge@outlook.com for more information.
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