2018 Green Grand Prix - Watkins Glen - Friday Apr. 13

[brucepick]

Originally Posted by Vman455

Well, it's official--I'm coming this year. I'll be driving up late Thursday night from Pittsburgh and camping in the car somewhere. The autocross portion should be fun.

I will need a navigator for the fuel economy rally, if anyone knows of someone who might volunteer.

Excellent! Hopefully one of our people who won't be driving this year will be available to navigate with you.

I'll send you a pm.

[brucepick]

Hmmm. This is interesting.
I've been hoping we EcoModders would cover as many classes as possible in the GGP, so has to have the best chances of winning classes. I think in 2016 we had three Insights running, all competing against each other. We did well, but we likely can do better if we cover more classes. So this year ... I think we're going to be in good shape, thanks in part to our new drivers.

I believe Vman455 will be driving his '13 Prius. It's been modified.

Looking at last year's GGP results, I see NO modified Prius listed.
I don't recall EVER seeing any modded Priuses at the GGP - aside from plug-in conversions, which removes them from a Prius class into a Plug-In class.

So - - - very likely Vman455 will be driving in a class by himself. No competition. I like that!
Vman, you might want to have some documentation that the exterior mirror removal mod leaves your car fully road legal in your state. GGP rules say
"modifications are unrestricted but the vehicle must be street legal, with all safety devices retained". :-)
(The GGP rules page has a link on the GGP home page)

Now, we also have Goofy1 (Garth) driving a modded Mini. The results sheet from last year shows no modded 4-cyl gas vehicles in the GGP. I think that's a bit surprising, but that's what I saw. So Garth may also be in a class by himself.

Speaking of modded cars vs. stock -
Tire pressures:

Tire pressure is checked in the tech inspection. I've been allowed a couple psi over the max, based on the inspector recognizing that they were at 50 when cold, before I started driving, which upped the pressure a bit. Good to know.

GGP rules are that stock cars are limited to 40 psi tire pressure, more if the original spec is higher than 40.

Modified cars are limited to 50 psi.

[Gasoline Fumes]

Originally Posted by brucepick

Vman, you might want to have some documentation that the mirror removal mod leaves your car fully road legal in your state. GGP rules say
"modifications are unrestricted but the vehicle must be street legal, with all safety devices retained". :-)
(The GGP rules page has a link on the GGP home page)

Last year Bob Gillespie told me my interior sideview mirror (not legal in NY) would be fine. But I'd double-check to make sure that is still true. And it wouldn't hurt to bring the mirror(s) along just in case, if they're easy to reinstall.

[Goofy1]

I'm watching NASCAR so I can learn how to "rub"!! Just Kidding!!!

Thanks Bruce for getting some great information to me so quickly. It will definitely be a totally different experience. I'm still not sure how many of my mods will be on the car as we aren't sure if we will drive the car there or tow it. Guess you guys will be as surprised as me when I show up!

[brucepick]

Originally Posted by Goofy1

I'm watching NASCAR so I can learn how to "rub"!! Just Kidding!!!

Thanks Bruce for getting some great information to me so quickly. It will definitely be a totally different experience. I'm still not sure how many of my mods will be on the car as we aren't sure if we will drive the car there or tow it. Guess you guys will be as surprised as me when I show up!

I don't want to be surprised when you show up - I'm counting on you!
But I will indeed be impressed.

Do you have some kind of real time mpg computer??
I doubt the GGP will accept any aftermarket add-on as documentation of anything - but it sure helps in getting better mpg.

[jcp123]

Ya know, my wife's been bothering me to move to Rochester for years now. If at some point I give in, I might be a regular at Watkins Glen as a way to keep my sanity. And this event would be one I won't miss.

[Goofy1]

Quote from Bruce: Do you have some kind of real time mpg computer??
I doubt the GGP will accept any aftermarket add-on as documentation of anything - but it sure helps in getting better mpg.[/QUOTE]

The MINI is blessed with an instant read MPG display straight from BMW. As most, it is a love/hate relationship. I want it to read higher but it wants to stay lower than I think it should!

jcp123--It's only miles from Tyler! This would be a great weekend to check out the Rochester area.

[Vman455]

Well, I've so far struck out on a navigator--if anyone know someone who will be at GGP with nothing to do, send them my way.

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by Goofy1

jcp123--It's only miles from Tyler! This would be a great weekend to check out the Rochester area.

I've been there a few times. Honestly, as a west coast boy, I'm not that enamored. I'm happiest and feel the lightest and most unshakably optimistic when I'm around or west of the Rockies. The wife will eventually win the argument, though. I feel Watkins Glen and events such as this will help me keep my sanity, however, and maybe the occasional trip to Canada or Letchworth too. This sounds really interesting, and as someone with a foot in both the hypermiling and more traditional car enthusiast arenas, I really am enamored with this take on car culture and competition.

[svt98t]

I cannot make it this year.
My boss just told me that I have to go to Pittsburgh for work and I cannot get out of it.
I am sorry. I was so ready for a repeat this year!
Go get some hardware, boys!


-ryan s.