Embedded Files
Welcome to our new website!
Go4-26
Go4-26
Stay tuned for the Go4-26 unveil in early may
The new Go4-26 will have several new innovations and features that were previously unseen. This year, the car will feature a complex new in-hub motor system, with each wheel independently operated by a computer controlled electric motor in the wheel hub.
Also new this year is a full monocoque carbon fiber frame, which will improve durability and reduce weight.
Go4-26e is the culmination of the implementation of cutting edge industry technology, providing faster speed, lower weight, and tighter cornering at competition.
Go4-26e would not be possible without our dedicated team, and of course our generous sponsors.
Cars from Past Years
Go4-25
The Go4-25 was the start of a new chapter for Gopher Motorsports. Being the first year we focused entirely on producing only an EV car, it naturally came with many new innovations. Using lessons learned from the 2024 EV and Combustion car, we aimed to make this car corner fast and have a large battery life.
Unfortunately, there was an error in the welding process of the accumulator battery, and during technical testing at competition, it failed the rain check (Water-proofing). This meant we were unable to actually drive the car in any of the dynamic events. Which ultimately resulted in the worst competition performance since 1996, the year after the team was founded in 1995
This was a major setback for the team, however, the lessons our team learned from building this car was invaluable. And a new process for welding the accumulator battery was implemented. Our team was determined to bounce back, and spirits were high during the manufacturing and design process of Go4-26.
Michigan Results
36th Place Overall
Points Breakdown
Cost: 44.9
Presentation: 19.6
Design: 105
Acceleration: N/A
Skidpad: N/A
Autocross: N/A
Endurance: N/A
Efficiency: N/A
Total: 169.6
Go4-24e
Go4-24e was a huge leap for Gopher Motorsports. It featured a much more refined aero suite, including front and side wings.
But with the team split between two cars, the design process was forced to be quicker than what we would have liked, and the car failed a technical inspection, leading to us not being able to drive it at comp.
Michigan Results
36th Place Overall
Points Breakdown
Cost: 76.6
Presentation: 55.9
Design: 75
Acceleration: N/A
Skidpad: N/A
Autocross: N/A
Endurance: N/A
Efficiency: N/A
Total: 207.5
Go4-24c
Go4-24c was Gopher Motorsport's final combustion car. It represents the peak of our engine innovation. It featured our first electric DRS system, larger side pods to recapture energy, and an improved suite of aero elements.
Although we no longer make combustion cars, the sound of the custom built engine screaming down Michigan Speedway; will always hold a special place in the heart of the Alumni who built it.
Michigan Results
19th Place Overall
Points Breakdown
Cost: 71.6
Presentation: 56.2
Design: 95
Acceleration: 80.6
Skidpad: 70.4 (4th)
Autocross: 87.9
Endurance: 114.9
Efficiency: 23
Total: 611.2
Go4-23e
Go4-23e featured our first EV front and rear carbon fiber wings, a completely custom Battery Management System and Vehicle Control Unit, and numerous other improvements to shoot for the title of being our first fully driving electric vehicle at competition.
It ended up being incredibly succesful in competition and passed all tech events quickly, participated in all dynamics events, and finished endurance! This was our first driving EV as well as our first EV to finish endurance.
This was one of the best performing cars in the history of Gopher Motorsports.
Michigan Results
7th Place Overall
Points Breakdown
Cost: 89.2 (5th)
Presentation: 40.4
Design: 80
Acceleration: 21.6
Skidpad: 3.5
Autocross: 71.7
Endurance: 211.6 (4th)
Efficiency: 93.3 (3rd)
Total: 611.2
Go4-23c
Notes from our IC Chief of Engineering on our performance:
Not finishing endurance obviously hurt our efficiency score and overall score, however the other results are something to be very proud of. This competition was a crazy week of last minute repairs and fixes on the vehicle. Although we made a good initial push through tech, we got hung up on aero boxes from late Wednesday to early Thursday. We spent most of the day Friday trying to pass brake test, and ended up making some big repairs to the pedal box after it ripped through the monocoque floor. We managed to pass brake test around 3:50pm, and were in a mad rush to complete Autocross, Skidpad, and Accel in the last hour of the day. We managed to complete all of the dynamic events, and Mike even achieved 3rd place in autocross.
During tech on Saturday morning before endurance, a kinked cooling line was discovered, and much of the morning was spent trying to fix it. We thought everything looked good as we headed towards endurance, and were able to complete the first 2 laps with no issues. The engine temperature began to climb drastically during the third lap due to a water leak, and Paxton had to egress at lap 3.5 due to engine temperature exceeding 200c.
Although failing endurance may be a big disappointment to a lot of people, this car is still a lot to be proud of. We took pride in everything we did when we built this car, and the final result showed. Many people at competition told us it was one of the best looking cars at competition, even from our design tent judges. The car absolutely had the performance to back up its looks, as shown from Mike and Paxton's Autocross results.
Looking at the results, our team absolutely has the ability to be a top ten team once again. I hope the team retains the LRF philosophy and maintains its high standard for quality going forward, and make both the University of Minnesota and ourselves proud.
Go4-22e
Go4-22e was our first ever electric vehicle, designed in 2022 along with an internal combustion vehicle right out of the Covid-19 pandemic.
We were starting from scratch on designing and manufacturing a high voltage powertrain. Like most teams we didn't manage to pass technical
inspection, but we still managed to place 19th out of 56 teams that year. We learned so much about the process, which enabled us to make the
right changes and choices for the next year's vehicle.
Page updated
Report abuse