Drive or ride! MPG event in Lacey, WA 7 May 2011

[beatr911]

About an hour south of Seattle. Welcome all to this event. I'd really like to see some motorcycles this year as I'll be riding mine in the event for the first time. Also the usual cars, trucks, EVs and anything else street legal are welcome.

It's a loop about 90 miles that has rural highway, freeway and city stop n go. Easy route, lots of fun and the fair is pretty fun too. The "rally" part is that is like a time/speed/distance event in which you have to navigate (easy) the course within a defined time period (also easy) to keep it kind of real world.

Put it on your calendar. There aren't too many events like this in the US and I think it's the only one in the northwest.

Here is the link:
Lacey Alternative Energy Fair | Special Park Events | City of Lacey, Washington, USA

Please respond/discuss/link back to this thread. I hope to see you there!

[redyaris]

I plan to go to Lacey and If I can get over 81mpg at Lacey, then its on to Carmel CA and the Vetter Challenge.

What are the max and min time limits four the 90 mile course?
What are the posted speed limits for the course?

[beatr911]

Total drive time is something like 2 hours +/-15 minutes, it's been a year so I don't have the actual number with me. Remember this has a stop and go city segment in it. And you have to top off the tank within 1 mile of the finish and show the reciept with date/time stamp.

Posted speeds range from 25mph to 60mph. The majority of miles are on rural highway which is posted at 50-55. Most drivers get some pretty good numbers that are about on par with thier best efforts prior to the event.

[redyaris]

google maps tells me that Lacey is 1126km [704 miles] away, and will take 12.5 hrs. This will be an exellent test run to see if all my work and "wishfull thinking" has turned into measured results. If I go the posted speed limit and can do better than 81mpg [2.9L/100km] for the full distance then it will be wearth going to the Vetter Challenge. If not then its back to the drawing board.

[Boris]

I'm from Lacey many years ago. I'll forward this to friends that still live there.

[AeroModder]

That's just 3 and a half hours north of me... I just might go.

[redyaris]

Just an update on the GS500 aero modding project. I got a wide band fuel air ratio system but will not have time before Lacy to install it. The behind the rider tapered luggage structure is moving along and I hope to be able to do a test run on the easter long weekend weather permitting, no snow that is... I may post some picture in the em garage so you can see what I have done.

[redyaris]

I have posted some pics in the em garage of the interum progress on the cargo saddle boxes and the behind the rider tappered aero container. I have mounted the Dunlop tire onto the rim and if the weather co-operates this weekend I may be able to do a short test run. Dreams of meeting the Vetter challenge dance in my head... 100mpg at 70mph into a 30mph head wind. It would be a fine peace of cosmic humor if some one from Alberta, the land of the tar sands was the first one to meet the Vetter challenge!

[War_Wagon]

I bought a really cool rust free '61 Chevy out of Lacey years ago, nice and dry that part of Washington. This sounds like a good outing for the new Insight. I may need to crash on someones couch if it dies on me though lol!

[beatr911]

War Wagon, It's usually pretty wet this time of year but it WILL be sunny this year! Dammit!

Anyway this post is a bump for the event. Below is the public service announcement running on radio station KRXY in the local area:

Lacey MPG Challenge:

May 7 is the 4th running of the Lacey MPG Challenge. This is the ONLY event of it’s kind in the entire northwest! The Lacey MPG Challenge is an informal competition for anyone interested to demonstrate ways to save fuel with your street legal vehicle. The way it works is this:

1) Show up at the Lacey MPG Challenge booth at Huntamer Park by 8:30am May 7 with a topped off fuel tank to sign up. (Registration is free.)
2) Run the 91 mile loop on public roads obeying all applicable laws and regulations.
3) Fill up within 1 mile of the finish and present your gas receipt at the Lacey MPG Challenge booth. It’s all done on the honor system.

Your MPG will be calculated and referenced against the combined EPA rating for your vehicle. The vehicles will be ranked by the percent over the EPA combined rating achieved. All motorcycles will be ranked against each other. It’s really quite simple and lots of fun.

Not only that, but we’ll pay 10 registrants a $10 gas card to participate. You probably won’t even use $10 in fuel for the whole event, including your drive home.

The Lacey MPG Challenge on May 7th is open to anyone that feels they can squeeze a lot of miles out of a gallon of fuel, and you get to show off your ride at the fair. Be at the Lacey MPG Challenge in Huntamer Park on May 7th at 8:30am to compete in this annual event, or attend the fair to see what you can learn from local MPG masters.

For more information,
Lacey Alternative Energy Fair | Arts and Events | City of Lacey, Washington, USA