An EcoModder first: "drag racing" (side-by-side coastdown competition) - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

MetroMPG · 06-13-2010, 08:50 PM

Will (Wonderboy) had a great idea today after the SMCC fuel economy rally in Montreal: compare the Blackfly's (98 Metro) coastdown prowess against his '98 Civic's.

This is an idea that's been toyed with in various threads, and it was fun to actually try it out.

We didn't try to be totally rigorous - just drove side by side at 80 km/h / ~50 mph on a quiet divided highway (no following traffic, obviously). This wasn't a flat, straight stretch either. Some slight ups, downs & gentle curves.

Once the cars were lined up and speed stabilized, we both dipped our clutches at the same time (on the third beep of my horn) and coasted down to roughly 20 km/h.

And the winner was...

After spending many hours in Will's competition-prepped car this weekend, I wasn't surprised that he won the drag race! His Civic out-glided the Firefly in the two runs we tried (one run by quite a bit more than the other).

(Pic from 2009 Green Grand Prix thread... Watkins Glen, NY, "Green Grand Prix" Sat May 2, 2009; fuel economy competition & show )

Maybe we've got a new game to play next time EcoModders get together.

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EDIT.... oh, and Will: FYI the ScanGauge said 87.x MPG (US) when I got the car back up that nasty hill and tucked away in the garage.

cfg83 · 06-13-2010, 09:21 PM

MetroMPG -

Ha ha, another meaning for "Drifting".

CarloSW2

brucey · 06-13-2010, 10:49 PM

This could be the start of the most interesting sport since hypermiling.

gascort · 06-13-2010, 11:26 PM

Freaking awesome. I've drag raced the normal direction, but this sounds much safer and longer lasting (assuming no traffic). Time for a Youtube video....