[MetroMPG]

FYI, just got this note from Bob Gillespie from the GGP:

(Note - officiall press release added April 19, below...)

Hi Darin and all Eco-Modders,

I hope things are going well for you as we enter a new decade!

The Green Grand Prix Committee is busy insuring that our 2010 event will be the best in our five year history.

This message will be brief and to the point. I want to send out the basic information for you.

We look forward to having you here for another enjoyable day .

2010 Green Grand Prix

When: Saturday, May 8th, 2010

Where: Watkins Glen NY

What: Your choice of entering a full SCCA Road Rally OR a Fuel Economy Competition THEN an educational display in the afternoon along with featured speakers.

Schedule: quite similar to last year's event, but with improvements to insure a smoother running day.

Since Education is a major focus for us, this year we will have student video crews who will conduct short interviews of competitors of their own choice , then show their videos later to their respective school populations. In this way, we are empowering young people to become involved with publicizing environmentally friendly transportation.

I hope you can be a part of this event, which we are proud to say is still the only one of it's kind in the Nation !

Please feel free to send any questions my way.

Registrations are now being accepted at www.greengrandprix.com

Sincerely,

Bob Gillespie
Chairman, Green Grand Prix Committee IMRRC

So... who's going?

Everyone really seemed to enjoy the 2009 GGP. The weather was awesome, which helped of course.

I particularly liked the expo after the drive - it was really interesting to view the vehicles afterward in the car show. Lots of time to chat with other efficiency enthusiasts. And last but not least, getting to meet and hang around with EM members. (Will: I'm looking forward to that brew pub's tasty stout again.)

I'm in.

Official press release: Apr 19:

WATKINS GLEN, NY – Visitors to this year’s Green Grand Prix will be treated to a NYELECTRTHON slalom event at it’s Green Expo. The Electrathon addition in the afternoon makes the day a triple header for alternate vehicles. During the morning session, drivers of alternate fueled vehicles, hybrids and fuel-efficient gasoline-powered cars will have two unique opportunities to test their vehicles at the 6th Annual Green Grand Prix in Watkins Glen on May 8.

The event’s signature road rally through the region is the only SCCA road rally of its kind in the nation. .The time-speed-distance event covers more than 60 miles of scenic roadways in this Finger Lakes Region of New York state.

The rally honors the memory of well-known area environmentalist Doris Bovee, who taught for many years in the Corning-Painted Post (NY) school district and was known for her love of plants and birds. She also was involved with SCCA road rallies and was part of the Glen Region SCCA (www.glen-scca.org) at its inception.

The ChicagoSoft Green Grand Prix Fuel Economy Run presented by race-cars.com will offer its competitors the opportunity to set fuel economy records in 12 categories around the 80-mile perimeter of Seneca Lake. Both fuel economy run and road rally entrants will return to the Racing Research Center to take part in afternoon festivities.

The participatory events are part of a daylong celebration of sustainable transportation. The Green Grand Prix is based at the International Motor Racing Research Center (www.racingarchives.org) on South Decatur Street in Watkins Glen and the adjacent Watkins Glen school district grounds. Other activities include educational displays, speakers, cars on display, exhibits, and food.

Both road events are open to anyone, and organizers anticipate vehicles that will include all hybrid models, plug-in hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell cars and cars running on biodiesel, diesel, flex-fuel and pure electric, solar, and even wood. Organizers also expect many other interesting alternate fueled vehicles such as those powered by vegetable oil, as well as by LP and compressed natural gas. The Ecomodder group will bring specially modified
gasoline vehicles similar to those that walked away with top mileage honors last year.

Many sustainable energy and environmental displays and activities are planned between 1-5 p.m. in a Green Expo. All events bring together a diverse mix of vehicles and their owners, businesses promoting renewable energy and related products, environmental groups, students and faculty members from elementary to university level and the general public. Schools are invited to send interested students to videotape the Green Expo and submit entries in a video contest described on the Green Grand Prix website.

All afternoon activities and displays are free and open to the public.
“ We have crafted an annual event to encourage the best and brightest of our students to remain in the Northeast and become the future engineers and technicians we will need here for sustainable energy industries and businesses.” said Green Grand Prix founder Robert Gillespie, an area artist, educator, and hybrid owner who is passionate about increasing awareness of environmentally friendly vehicles.

The SCCA has a long association with world-renowned Watkins Glen, which has hosted competitive racing events for more than 60 years.

Entries are still being accepted for the Doris Bovee Memorial Road Rally and the Chicago-Soft Green Grand Prix Fuel Economy Run. Any road worthy vehicle is eligible. Online registration and other information can be found at www.greengrandprix.com.

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CUTLINE FOR ATTACHED PHOTO:

The Solar car from Newburgh Free Academy will compete in the Chicago-Soft Fuel Economy Competition sponsored by race-cars.com

Digital photos from the 2009 Green Grand Prix are available by contacting Robert Gillespie by e-mail at rgillesp@roadrunner.com or by telephone at (315) 694-2812.