2011 Green Grand Prix: Fri., April 15 (Watkins Glen, NY)

[brucepick]

What I'm wondering is, how accurate and precise are those scales at a track?

I calculated that you need to detect a weight difference of about 4 oz or 1/4 lb, to detect a difference of about 1 mpg over a 100 mile run at approx 50 mpg.

Unfortunately that spreadsheet isn't here where I can get at it. I may be slightly mis-remembering some of the particulars - but I did end up with a delta of approx 4 oz. as being what you'd need to be able to detect.

[RobertSmalls]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Since the driving portion of GGP is now on Friday, and the "expo" portion of the show is now on Saturday/Sunday, I wonder how many people have decided they are going to attend multiple days?

, I just noticed that. I hope the weather is nice enough for camping, as the expo is usually at least as much fun as the competition.

Bruce, I have to suspect that the scales are more accurate than a pump, but less accurate than a calibrated mpguino.

[brucepick]

Heh-heh - you mean more accurate than the fills we got at the 2010 GGP?

I don't expect to be there for the following days - sorry to say. Wife and I will turn it into a mini vacation and will be tourists for a while.

[brucepick]

Three new items from Bob Gillespie, all welcome news imho.

First: Both the 50 and 100 mile competitions will start at the same time, with the 50-mile drivers simply stopping when they've completed their distance. There will be an interval delay between individual cars' actual start, similar to last year.

The start time will likely be later than originally scheduled, likely now at 9:30. The revised schedule is not yet fully finalized, to the best of my knowledge. The later start gives more time for vehicle inspections.

I also had asked Bob:
1) Can we store things at the track? Such as travel necessities, tools removed from car, etc. Answer: yes.

2) Would I be able to do an oil change before the competition? Answer: yes, before the car is weighed.

[tasdrouille]

So, who's going this year?

[Daox]

A Kia Soul?!? What happened to the TDI?

[moTthediesel]

Originally Posted by tasdrouille

So, who's going this year?

I'm planning on it --

With my new Conti LRR 145/65/15 tires and four wheel skirts -- if I get them done in time

Tom

[blownb310]

Originally Posted by tasdrouille

So, who's going this year?

Hello Martin,

I have to work on Fridays so I am out for this year. I'll miss not joining up with you all again this spring though!

Mike

[MetroMPG]

Mike, that bites. I figure you'd probably do well in this format.

I'm considering going, but not competing.

Martin - you going? Carpool?

Honestly, I find April too early in the year, and doing it on a weekday is likely inconvenient for many.

Also, as much as a track day sounds like fun, I'd prefer to see an event on public roads where competitors have to behave "normally" (avg. speed) and take into account regular traffic.

[brucepick]

A quote from the latest update from organizer Bob Gillespie:

"Determination of fuel economy results:

Hybrid vehicles and all having onboard computers will use them to determine mpgs.
Other vehicles will be weighed immediately before and after the rally to determine fuel use.

We post rally winners in all categories, the distance they traveled, and their mpgs on our website."