Just got back from the beautiful southern Adirondacs and today's A.M.E.C. event. Man, what a nice spot those folks have. Mike and company put on a good show.
The rain stopped early this AM just before we were getting ready to head out, so conditions were good. The fleet was diverse; the older cars were fantastic to see in action; the competition was fierce!
Several EcoModders turned in personal bests and earned podium spots.
The overall highest MPG went to a previously unknown (I think? Right Mike?) participant who brought a lightened, lowered, and otherwise aeromodded 2nd gen Honda CRX HF wearing LRR
snow tires(!). Get this: 118 mpg (US)! (The course was over 104 miles, with a 3 hour limit, and there were some serious elevation changes.) I was thinking on the way home: I'd like to get in touch with the owner/driver and do up a blog piece about him & his car. Pretty astounding.
The Flea wilted under the pressure today, pulling in a distant second at 106 mpg (US). Must have used the wrong kind of wax. The
massive cardboard air dam held up for the most part over the 104 mile course - I'm glad I spent some time "waterproofing" it with duct tape and black plastic (from a garbage bag) the night before, otherwise it would have been a soggy oatmeal mess this morning.
As it turns out, I drove through two big rainstorms on the way home and it pretty much self destructed. I pulled over and yanked it off when I started to hear flapping!
Ben took 3rd in the gas division with 80 something MPG. He's happy with his Insight rims & LRR tires. Changes the game.
Martin (Tasdrouille) turned in an amazing 90 mpg (US) in his diesel Jetta, taking the top spot in the diesel/hybrid class.
Matt Herring had a Prius duel with Hobbit, turning in 76 mpg (?) for 2nd place, vs. Hobbit's 74.
Robert had to leave early in his Legacy wagon, but at the presentation the fact that he got upper 40's in a heavy AWD wagon was noted as evidence of how the stakes were raised. (When Robert gets his Insight on the road, we're all toast
.)
Wonderboy Will had a personal best as well. 60 something, correct?
AMEC organizer Mike managed to squeeze 77 mpg from his classic B210. That's impressive, and what a neat car.
I'm spouting all these figures from my sleep-deprived memory. Subject to revision when the official numbers are posted.