Sports Motor Car Club Montreal - Economy run rally: June 12, 2010

[tasdrouille]

The first general public fuel economy rally to happen in years in Quebec will be held on June 12th near Montreal.

This ecomony run is a bit different from what we are used to since since it's also a navigation rally. The goal is not only to get the best mileage we can, but also to stay on time. There will be multiple elapsed time controls along the way.

Full info here.

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by tasdrouille

This ecomony run is a bit different from what we are used to since since it's also a navigation rally. The goal is not only to get the best mileage we can, but also to stay on time. There will be multiple elapsed time controls along the way.

Sounds like an eco-run I read about here: the contestants get points for lower fuel consumption, but also for lower time. Points get subtracted for each time you exceed the speed limit (so no downhill EOC-ing).

Are you planning on signing up?

[tasdrouille]

Oh I'm in for sure, it's in my backyard!

Normally in navigation rallys you are penalized if you are too fast or too slow. And the time frame you need to be at the checkpoint is pretty short. It adds an other level of challenge.

[blownb310]

Sounds great Martin! Thanks for keeping us informed.

I ran in a "regular" road rally last weekend in southern New Jersey. I love to do both. Wow, it should be a great challenge!

[blownb310]

I am trying to figure out a strategy for this event. I wonder what the greater emphasis will be on for scoring? It will be give and take situation for sure. Should we sacrifice mpg's for staying on time or be late for controls and have best mpg?

I've already decided that I will use the 60 mpg Nissan SE-R and not the B210. Why? For the same reason Darin didn't install a belly pan on his Firefly when coming to Economy Run III: because of the border crossing. With the B210's belly pan, I'd be delayed for who knows how long at the border crossing while they search the void between the floor and belly pan.

[blownb310]

Here is a copy of a post from another forum where the organizer, Jeff Dungen gives us a few more details for this event.:

"Thanks for posting Mike!

Yes, our Economy Run is indeed designed to force competitors to make trade-offs between fuel economy and lateness. As it currently stands, all checkpoints will be elapsed time controls where competitors may arrive early without penalty - but not late. The elapsed times will be quite generous for a road rally, but will surely require the economy-minded to push the pedals with a bit of fervour.

Some quick points:
100% asphalt (but it's Quebec asphalt which isn't always perfectly smooth) urban, country road, divided and provincial highway driving mix. It starts in Charlemagne [where Celine Dion was born] finish restaurant is wonderful and has a great parking lot on the water for photoshoots. Instructions will be tulips with cumulative and interval distances (very easy). Possibility to have a scale if competitors want to take this ultra-seriously.

We're hoping to attract many of the veteran competitors from the annual FIA Rallye Energie Alternative events. The next such event is in the Fall and runs from Montreal, QC to Lake Placid, NY."

Did you catch that last detail? Another one in the Fall!

Mike

[blownb310]

Martin,

I am hoping Jeff will offer separate classes for the diesels and the gas cars. When the hills get steep, the diesels will rule.

I was on vacation in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia last week and saw a very interesting car. It was a Citroen AX. They were never sold in the US, but this one was visiting with "diplomat" licence plates. It had a 1.5 diesel in it. I didn't get a picture, but I got this one from the Wiki page:



The one I saw was the same red color. They have plastic panels in non load bearing areas, a drag coefficient of 0.31, and a very light weight of just 1,411 lbs!

It can achieve 80 mpg without hypermiling.

I wish I could get one for this event! Do they have them in Canada?

[tasdrouille]

Hi Mike, no we don't have those in Canada, unfortunately!

You'll be alright, I doubt there will be many hills. From the starting point it's flat all around for 30 miles.

I'm damn glad SMCC Montreal is running this event. The FIA Rallye Energie Alternative is elitist as the entre fee is a couple hundreds and their emissions rules prohibit diesels (100 g C02/km on dino or 70 g C02/km on bio). Pretty much only hybrids have been participating in the past. That's why I mentionned SMSS's event is the only general public fuel economy rally in Quebec.

[MetroMPG]

Mike, are you going?

You could always stop at my place and use the garage to re-install parts, if you like

Martin: you have a navigator?

I don't know if I'm available yet for this one, but I'm interested.

[blownb310]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Mike, are you going?

You could always stop at my place and use the garage to re-install parts, if you like.

Thanks Darin. Yes I plan to go. I haven't firmed up a navigator yet, but I have contacted Steve McKelvie and hope he can fit it into his schedule. He's a really experienced rally navigator and my chances of doing well in the event will be much improved if I have him in the right seat.

Thanks for the offer to use the garage to work on the car, but I'm going the low effort route on this trip.

Mike