Green Grand Prix, Watkins Glenn, NY USA - April 20-21, 2012

[smokey442]

Bruce good job. I spoke with Bob via email. I showed him my math and he agreed. At somepoint he is going to post the correct # 36MPG two day average. My son and I had a wonderful time. All in all I have to say Bob did a great job in putting it all together. We all owe him many thanks.

[MetroMPG]

Gasoline Fumes - thanks for posting the photos.

[brucepick]

I also wrote to Bob Gillespie via email.

I shared a few thoughts on weighing accuracy, along the lines of what I wrote here a couple posts back. Ya need SUPER accurate scales to make that method work. You also need to burn no oil and have no tire rubber wear off, but I'd be willing to live with those inaccuracies if the scales are accurate to maybe a half ounce each or so. If you're losing rubber the weight is very minor. If you're burning oil, it's a petro product so it could count as consumption.

I also wrote about the apparent disappearance of the "M" = modified classes from the winners announcements at the GGP. Going from memory, it seemed the winning cars were mostly modified ones but the announced winners were all in Class 1, 2, 3, etc., no "M"s being mentioned. I ran in Class 2M and Bob did later post me as winning that class on the GGP site's winners list. No other "M" classes posted yet though, as of this afternoon.

I gave Bob a good size list of typical mods of various groups (aero, under-hood, engine mods, and major power train swaps were the groups) and suggested that he post a link to that list for entrants to view when registering. Any mods on the list = your car is modded. I wrote that if he wants to allow certain minor mods as "stock" he could make that decision. But posting a list of actual mods would encourage drivers to declare their car as modded.

[sendler]

Originally Posted by brucepick

I also wrote to Bob Gillespie via email.

I shared a few thoughts on weighing accuracy, along the lines of what I wrote here a couple posts back. Ya need SUPER accurate scales to make that method work.

Will even the most accurate scales be better than just doing tank fills like we did on Saturday? What if it rains? I would propose that we lobby for before and after tank fills. It is quicker and more accurate.

[brucepick]

Yes and no.
If you watched the volunteers filling cars - it was a disaster as far as precision filling was concerned. My guy squeezed all the way and stopped at the first click. Standard for all cars but not very precise. And you can't get volunteers to care like you and I do. Weighing wouldn't be bad if done right. Just my 2 cents.

Plus the track only has racing fuel, something like 105 octane. And in 2 years running there the GGP hasn't gotten those pumps available to us. Probably big $$ to make them available. Due to insurance liability issues, I'm sure.

That is, filling in town means the big haul up and the free ride down the mountain are part of the measured competition. I'd rather leave it out.

[MetroMPG]

Interesting - in 2009, we filled our own cars, but were observed by a marshall.

[geomartin]

The scales were supposed to be able to weigh +/- 0.1%, on my car that would be ~2lbs. I did not see a certification certificate on this years scale?? If the volunteers watched as we filled our tanks that would be OK as long as they checked.

[geomartin]

@sendler, even if they got a more accurate scale, whats to keep someone from peeing in the seat? I think if they are going to weigh the vehicle, they should have the driver and navigator in the vehicle with all food and drink in vehicle and no drinking water until after the weigh in.

[smokey442]

Bruce I responded to your email but I'm not sure if it went through. Took me over an hour to compose it.

[sendler]

Big march up and down into town adds only 10 miles off of the track and would be good for publicity. The fillers just need some simple instruction. Insert every nozzle to the same depth every time and fill as slowly as you can as it is only going to be between 1 and 3 gallons. weighing a 3,000 pound car to the ounce, twice, will never be as accurate or quick. If it rains everything is out the window again with the scales.
.

Originally Posted by brucepick

Yes and no.
If you watched the volunteers filling cars - it was a disaster as far as precision filling was concerned. My guy squeezed all the way and stopped at the first click. Standard for all cars but not very precise. And you can't get volunteers to care like you and I do. Weighing wouldn't be bad if done right. Just my 2 cents.

Plus the track only has racing fuel, something like 105 octane. And in 2 years running there the GGP hasn't gotten those pumps available to us. Probably big $$ to make them available. Due to insurance liability issues, I'm sure.

That is, filling in town means the big haul up and the free ride down the mountain are part of the measured competition. I'd rather leave it out.