I was ready to be disappointed with the 2011 GGP, with it being so pricey, so early in the season, and on a Friday. But these things were necessary in order for it to be held on the track.
It was great to be at WGI with 40 or so other economy-minded drivers. I think there were about five X-Prize cars, a few university entries, some classic cars, and two homemade streamlined diesel trikes. This was a much more interesting turnout than last year, where only street-legal cars could participate.
One of the three-wheeled diesels has a web site:
Dirigo Car | Cross Country Rally Green Read more: Cross Coun... | Cars, Practical, Mileage, Group, Good
As for me, I got 87.1mpg in the Insight. However, an Insight from Alfred State scored 89.6mpg and got first place in our category. Their car was a totally gutted Insight, with an ABS grille block riveted to the hood and front bumper. They had no interior whatsoever, no passenger seat or airbag, no spare tire, no navigator, and no luggage in the car. I believe that places the Alfred State Insight at a 400-500lb advantage over mine.
They made the questionable decision of using RE92's at the rear and Insight temporary spares at the front. There's an aero and weight advantage there, but I'm not sure if the temporary tires are lower rolling resistance. As long as their FE computer accounted for the 10% difference in circumference, though, I don't mind.
Once I figured out how to drive the track, I took the same approach every lap, and consistently got around 90mpg. There wasn't much opportunity for lean burn or P&G, because the course was steep enough.
The drive over to Watkins Glen was a challenge for the Insight. I wasn't going to be able to lean burn at reasonable speeds due to the headlights and the temperatures, so I floored it and got 58mpg on the way there. On the way back, I was only slightly more patient and got 70mpg. In both directions, I encountered hills that gave my battery quite a workout. I finally met hills big enough that I have to make sure my SoC is low before I reach the crest.