[Gschuld]

Ok, some numbers in practical terms for my intended usage.

Races next year that I’d like to attend(in distance order, one way): (I’m based in coastal NJ)

654 miles Kershaw SC
768 miles Roebling GA
777 miles Gingerman, South Haven Mi
860 miles Tally in AL
885 miles Barber, outside of Huntsville AL
910 miles Blackhawk, South Beloit IL
3006 miles Laguna Seca CA

Laguna is a long shot(long drive)

Examples of time/gas $ spent based on the info above assuming I could match the figures above with a custom trailer(I’m cautiously confident). Based on $3 a gallon fuel cost for convenience.

Let’s take Blackhawk at 910 miles.

At 60mph 15.1 hours each way, $128 in fuel, $256 round trip
At 75mph 12.1 hours each way, $139 in fuel, $278 round trip (+$22)
At 80mph 11.4 hours each way, $150 in fuel, $300 round trip (+$44)

So several factors stand out to me. I can comfortably stand 12.1 hours one way, but 15.1 hours is pushing my comfort zone to be alert and ready for race practice the following day. I’d likely need to stay over meaning the round trip would have me losing 2 more full days of work. That will cost me FAR more than the $22 extra fuel bill.
80 mph is quite nice too, but I don’t expect to average that speed. But it’s nice to know that there isn’t much of a penalty.

The potential BIG trip. Laguna Seca

At 60mph, 50 hours each way, $423 in fuel, $846 round trip
At 75mph, 40 hours each way, $460 in fuel, $920 round trip (+$74)
At 80mph, 37.5 hrs each way, $495 in fuel, $990 round trip (+$144)

At 60mph, 50 hours means 3 16.7hr legs or 4 12.5hr legs. So 4 days each way
At 75mph, 40 hours means 3 13.3hr legs. Maybe …3 long days each way.

Going faster(75mph) makes more sense in my situation IMHO.

Just for giggles, If I’m at 19.8mpg at 75mph, that’s $920 to do the 6012 mile round trip to Laguna Seca. My buddy Matt at 7.5mpg at 75mph(verified over multiple trips) would spend $2405 for fuel vs my $920 for the same round trip, same speed, carrying the same stuff!

So, if we both did the same events from the same starting point, it would be 15,720 miles for the whole schedule, 9708 miles if skipping Laguna Seca.

Matt would spend $6200 and $3883 respectively in fuel for the year
I would spend $2381 and $1470 respectively in fuel for the year.
I’d be spending $3907 less and $2413 less in fuel respectively.
Plus driving a trailer that I’d hardly feel back there making the trip far more relaxing. Matt would be fighting cross winds, semi wakes, and the extra motion with additional overall frontal area, height, and total trailer weight.

Agreed, it’s no hypermiling achievement.

But I’d be getting not far from 3 times the fuel mileage at the same speed, carrying a near identical live load weight and size.

That makes me smile a bit. And makes the project easier to justify.

George