2010 Green Grand Prix: Saturday May 8, Watkins Glen, NY -pics/results posted

[MetroMPG]

Great info, Mike! You think the Mini-E couple will be coming?? I'd love to see that car.

Originally Posted by RobertSmalls

I couldn't find it, but I'd be interested in looking at the route and elevation profile. Also, what will be our average speed?

Last year the route's speed limits varied between 35 to 55 mph. According to organizers, the time limit was based on driving no less than 10% below the posted speed limits, and included a mandatory 10 minute rest/hospitality stop in the city of Geneva. Route length was 79 miles. And I think I came in at somewhere just over 2 hours. Like 2:10 or something.

[blownb310]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Great info, Mike! You think the Mini-E couple will be coming?? I'd love to see that car.

I don't know Darin, but I hope so too. We'll see if they'll travel all the way up to NY. I think they were from Jersey.

May 8th is coming up pretty quickly, I better get some plates, some insurance, and blow the dust off of the B210.

[Wonderboy]

Darin, are we going to be able to pull off the ecomodder discount again this year? I don't mind paying whatever amount, but I figure since we're bringing so many people...that amount might as well be less than more.

Coroplast: Who wants it? I'm lucky enough to have a local sign shop that loves to give me huge sheets of it for free.

Here's the elevation map of the route I made last year - I doubt it will change this year. Notice the HUGE slope right at the beginning of the race. I think it's very important to go out and drive around just before fill-up to get the engine as warm as possible for this climb because there's no way to avoid it or gain momentum into it. You start right off climbing. At the end of the elevation, you can disregard the last little climb - the last few miles of the race are a nice big downhill into Watkin's Glen with a few traffic lights, then the gas station - no more uphills.

[Christ]

Will -

Can you get some black? I need a fairly large piece (or two not so large pieces) for Gerald's grille block.

If you can't get colors, white (or whatever) will be fine, but black would be a preference.

[brucepick]

Will - shoot, if you can bring coroplast, just bring what you can.
I'm sure you'll find takers!

And thanks for the elevaation map. I'm gonna have a look at that.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Wonderboy

Darin, are we going to be able to pull off the ecomodder discount again this year? I don't mind paying whatever amount, but I figure since we're bringing so many people...that amount might as well be less than more.

Participants can choose what entrance fee they want to pay based on what perks come with it.

For details, see: http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post158850

Coroplast: Who wants it? I'm lucky enough to have a local sign shop that loves to give me huge sheets of it for free.

Lucky dawg. I'm sure you could give away all you could bring.

[MetroMPG]

FYI, I updated post 1 with the official GGP press release and a neat photo.

Also rec'd from GGP organizer Bob Gillespie:

Chicago-Soft Green Grand Prix

FUEL ECONOMY COMPETITION

Presented by Race-Cars.com



May 8, 2010



Categories of Competition Based on EPA combined ratings

(award presented for winner in each class)

ECOMODDERS WILL HAVE THEIR OWN MODIFIED CATEGORIES



1. 26 mpg and under

2. 27-32 mpg.

3. 33- 38 mpg

4. 39-44 mpg.

5. 45 -50 mpg

6. 2 wheeled vehicles

7 3 wheeled vehicles

8. Trucks

9. Vans

10. Diesel ( 4 wheeled )

11. Other (includes vehicles that are now out of production such as Geo Metro and original Honda insight)

I'm getting excited about this. My only wish is that it happened later in the year. I never have any time in the spring to get new stuff ready for an early May event (like a boat tail).

[MetroMPG]

FYI, I asked, and Bob Gillespie has this to say about the early May event date:

These are the reasons we are the first full weekend in May:

1. Most people's schedules have not filled up for this date because it's still early in the season.
2. It's the break between classes and final exams in colleges- we get more schools entering.

[McTimson]

I'm debating whether to take the Tercel again this year, or take our new Yaris.

If I take the Tercel, I could get some pretty good mileage out of it, I'm thinking at least 60MPG. But, it would be in the modified category, and it has a much higher breakdown chance. It broke down last year on the way home, and it hasn't seen too many long distance trips lately. But, I have an MPGuino in it, so I can keep track of my mileage on the way.

If I take the Yaris, I would be in category 2 (its EPA combined is 31), and I think I would at least be able to get 45-50MPG out of it. It's an automatic though, so I can only do all the downhill stuff in neutral, not in EOC. But, the breakdown chance is very low, and it looks nicer anyway. I don't have a scangauge yet though, so there's no MPG instrumentation.

I'm leaning towards the Yaris right now, but we'll see.

I think we may go for the $35 option, and bring our own lunch, unless I hear good news from a company I interviewed with before then.

[tasdrouille]

My TDI sits straight at 38 mpg combined, so I'm a happy camper.