SMCC Montreal Economy Run - June 9th, 2012

[JethroBodine]

This was definitely a great outing and I'm already looking forward to next year. I wonder if Harold will be available again? He was really great. He converted km to miles on-the-fly and kept me on the right path. He even gave me a few pointers on rally driving that I hope I will be able to practice on some gentler roads.

Engine issues are simply incentive to get off my butt and drop in the diesel. The "other project" that I was talking over with Darin will have to wait a bit longer. I'm also working out the logistics of adding some "air support" to the suspension for raising/lowering the ride height for the rougher sections of rallies like this one. Would help around here too.

If anyone finds any links to pics of the FrankenJetta in the wild, I'll start a thread( as suggested by Jeff(nerdboy)).

I'm sorry if I say it too often, but I really enjoyed meeting everyone, and I promise to work on my French.

P.S. I can't believe I'm the first one to mention the naked bicyclist protesters. GREAT distraction just before the rally.

[nerdboy]

Originally Posted by JethroBodine

If anyone finds any links to pics of the FrankenJetta in the wild, I'll start a thread( as suggested by Jeff(nerdboy)).

Click here for a three-letter reaction to the picture of the FrankenJetta on the road with two Smarts

It is probably the hilly sections that killed me because I would struggle up some and have to completely ride the brake (even with engine braking) and not get full advantage of the potential energy as I could have (because I had more potential energy/momentum than the turns/road course would allow, probably due to my loaded car :-D).

The Echo mentioned having similar problems, and I'm sure it's the same for just about everyone who couldn't guarantee they'd make it through the next corner with the momentum they were carrying. I'm curious if the regenerative braking of the Prius was put to full use in the hilly sections.

As for the actual out times, the only comment I have, is that almost every time I received my out time it was for a time that had already passed.

In our normal TSD rallies, you have up to one minute dead time in each control, unless other cars arrive before you on the same minute. What this means is that if you arrive 30 seconds into the minute, you only have 30 seconds to jump out, check in, get back in the car, buckle, zero and leave. We use the same system in the Economy Run for simplicity.

P.S. I can't believe I'm the first one to mention the naked bicyclist protesters. GREAT distraction just before the rally.

You missed the naked protest that took place just up the street from me on Thursday - Wonderboy and I caught that on TV. Somehow it's never boring where I live!

[MetroMPG]

Snowman! HA - first to mention the naked bike riders.

I was going to thank SMCC for organizing the parade for our benefit before we jumped to the conclusion that it was part of the student protests.

But then I read that Sunday was actually "World Naked Bike Ride" day! How silly of me to forget! World Naked Bike Ride - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

EDIT... second "HA!": nice new avatar, Jeff.

[MetroMPG]

One more slice & dice of the results:

• 7 minutes: the average time penalty of the 16 teams

• 6.5 minutes: the median time penalty - half the teams were better than this, half were worse

[nerdboy]

This year I took the time to write up a little summary that hopefully will get picked up by some kind of media to help publicize this and similar events in the future:

SMCC Economy Run 2012 Summary (PDF)

Also, I asked the Smart guys about the ability to engine-off-coast with their automagic transmissions. Some interesting feedback on their forum. Doesn't sound like they can, but at least they don't consume any fuel when in compression. I would consider this a limitation on the course given that there are some really long coasts where you'd rather not have any compression.

[blownb310]

Jeff, the summary is very well thought out and written.

Nice job!

[HyperMileQC]

Hey jeff, if you want I can help you with the translation of the SMCC Economy Run 2012 Summary (PDF).

Just give me a word version of it and I will send you a french version.

Denis

[2000neon]

This seems like a really cool event! I might have to book the date for next year. Montreal isn't too far away.

[MetroMPG]

Where are you Neon? I might have asked already...

I'm seriously debating whether to enter the Insight again next year. The traditional "enthusiast" guys may laugh, but I found it to be really hard on the car! Ironically, the winning figure was also the lowest measured fuel consumption I've gotten in the car since I've owned it.

Maybe Will wants me to navigate for him in his Insight...

[nerdboy]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Ironically, the winning figure was also the lowest measured fuel consumption I've gotten in the car since I've owned it.

If you've got $850 each burning a hole in your pocket, you can enter the Rallye Vert at the end of the month and show off the true capabilities of the Insight.

The regulations are bilingual even if the webpage is only in French.

And regarding the SMCC Economy Run, I will be impressed if we beat your record next year, unless someone shows up in an electric car with 198km range...