Vetter Challenge at Mid-Ohio , July 22

[low&slow]

On 9 AM Friday morning, July 22, 2011: Vetter Fuel Economy Challengers will depart from the Mid- Ohio racetrack to see who can meet the Vetter goals of 100mpg at speeds of up to 70 mph into a 30 mph headwind with the ability to carry 4 bags of groceries while keeping up with the pace of the group.

Craig asked me to post on the upcoming Vetter Challenge in Ohio: Craig Vetter, Alan Smith, Treven Baker and Fred Baker will be there as well as other superstar competitors with electric , diesel and gasoline powered motorcycles. Jack Macormick will be driving his diesel car along with the bikes. This gathering should be very interesting with the great variety of machines and the winner will be determined by the rider who meets the requirements above and does it at the lowest cost for the 110+ mile ride. I wish I could have made it out there but I will be rooting for my buddies Craig Vetter, Alan Smith, Treven Baker and Fred Hayes. Will the electric bikes be able to keep up and go the distance? Will the diesel bikes win again as occured in at the Carmel Vetter Challenge? While the gasoline bikes surprise with a breakout performance? We'll find oun on July 22.
For more information on the event, the competitors and the efforts to achieve fuel independence from foreign oil check out Craig's website
www.craigvetter.com
all the best, Low& Slow

[redyaris]

Its July 23rd and no results yet. What is happening in this world of instant comunication? Or am I traped in some kind of Star Treck time warp? Or is it that expectations are what is instant and comunications takes time?

[Frank Lee]

Results?

[low&slow]

Hi Frank and RedYaris, I just got Craig's email with the official results and they are :

#1 Max Perethian on his NX250 consumed $2.47... ($.0237 per mile) 152.88 mpg

#2 Fred Hayes HDT Diesel consumed $2.68 in bio Diesel... ($.0257 per mile)
143.53 mpg

#3 Jack McCornack Diesel car consumed $3.14 Diesel... ($.0301 per mile) 127.38
mpg

#4 Dale on Hayes HDT Diesel #2 consumed $3.23 in bio Diesel... ($.031 per mile)
119.22 mpg

#5 Alan Smith, 250 Ninja consumed $3.27 in pump gas... ($.0314 per mile) 115.9
mpg

#6 Craig Vetter, Honda 250 scooter $3.57 in pump gas...($.0343 per mile) 109.57
mpg

#7 Ted Visscher F650 GS consumed $5.30 in pump gas... ($.0509 per mile) 73.64
mpg

#8 Tim Yow KLR 650 consumed $5.62 in pump gas... ($.0539 per mile) 69.57 mpg

#9 Charly Perethian Honda CB400T twin consumed $8.59 in pump gas... ($.0824 per
mile) 45.47 mpg

The Electric Challenge:

I never expected the electric bikes to complete the complete ride. All three
electric bikes entered stopped and turned around at the first break, 38 miles
into the ride where they recharged at an RV park. As far as I know, they all
returned on their own power.

Pretty awesome ! Congratulations to Craig and all the Vetter Challenge competitors , they all did outstanding efforts.

all the best L&S

[Frank Lee]

Thanks!

[Bruce]

Thanks for posting the results. Considering driving in bad weather, hauling stuff, and carrying a passenger, looks like the best option is a car. ...And then have a small bike for fair-weather fun.

[jkv357]

This is what's posted on Vetter's site about it -

2011 Mid Ohio Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge results

NY Times article - http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2011...ef=automobiles


Jay

[skyl4rk]

Wow, a stock gas motor beat the diesels. There were no 250cc diesels there, though.

[redyaris]

Hayes diesle went up by 17%, Alan Smith went up by 24%, and Craig went up by 24% over the results in Carmel. and Max at 153mpg is up by 24% over what Hayes achieved at Carmel.
The interesting things about the winning Honda was that it had no tail section, the fairing was large and covered the hands, the exit angle of the wind screen was paralell to the air stream. The Hayes diesle was fully streamlined. Alan and Craig made improvements to existing designes. all the streamliners got over 100mpg
There is still room for improvement for the winning bike and for the Kawasaki ninja 250 I suspect that next year in Carmel [in the more demanding conditions] that the winning bikes will be in the 150mpg zone and that they will get to 180 - 190 mpg in Ohio next year.
The hayes diesle may be paying the price for an engine that is to big and powerfull.

[Bruce]

I wonder how many of the motorcycle guys hauled their bike to the event?