Urba Centurion Update - (Kubota diesel, 100+ MPG in mixed driving - Fall 2012 on)

[changzuki]

Valero morning fill-up, Friday April 11th, 2014, 7:30 am Captains Log ()
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Yes we invaded the gas station but not before about 15 or so others! It was a zoo! The fuel Marshalls were pretty good about getting everyone through as fast as possible. I noticed the Alfred State Insight was sooo loww with the front airdam it literally scraped the lip of the cement pad when pulling up to the pump.
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The fillup was the only since leaving home so I was anxious to see how much I'd used on the trip down...
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Well, the fill took less than 1 minute and a some quick math on cheapie cell phone revealed an outstanding 172 mpg! (and don't forget those crazy 40 mph winds!) This was the first real data that confirmed the last 4 all-nighters (and more) had hit a home-run! Let's go to the races!
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After the fuel fill we were instructed to turn left and go up to the Watkins Glen International Raceway! We turned left and then we went uuuuuuuppppp! The brochure forgot to mention they got some hills in Watkins Glen and the little Kubota had to earn this ascent!
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Arriving in one piece with the rear axles still in-tact it was time for the Tech-Inspection. Lights, wipers (wiper in my case), tires, air pressure... Ooops, another oversight: the tech inspector suggested I bump up the pressure and was kind enough to loan me a tire gage and point me to the airhose. THANK YOU!
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Tires up, transponder attached to the rear plate, GGP Official Number 6 affixed to the only spot capable of holding it (the sail post) Centurion was added to the lineup now ready for battle!
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But we had to go to a pre-race meeting 1st!
Milked this post out! Up next: THE Green Grand Prix!!!!
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~CrazyJerry
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[Joggernot]

NICE JOB!!

[changzuki]

Driver's Meeting and Start of the 2014 Green Grand Prix - April 11th 9:15am

Ladies Ladies Ladies
and and
Gentlemen Gentlemen Gentlemen ! ! !
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Yessir! Just like the BigDawgs we had it all including the echo as organizer Robert Gillespie commandeered the mic! As we listened to our instructions and followed along with our printed maps and narratives, I know I wasn't the only one who was now getting that first rush of knowing that "this is what we came for"!
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Some traveled several states, fought the weather, forfeited sleep, food, possibly a lovelife in the pursuit of the Queen Mother Mary of MPG Hell On Wheels: The 2014 Toyota Green Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International Speedway!!!
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Seemingly before it started - the gathering was over and we were released to our battle-ready chariots. Some slid into ultimate luxury to a gentle door chime, others passed into a shell of steel - diesel - and a license plate collection! For the others there was chrome, custom electronics, gull wing doors, and for me - the preferred way to enter the Centurion: vaseline and a shoehorn!
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But not before stuffing Sheepdog_44 in there! People may have thought I was just being gentlemanly but the fact is the Centurion's doors are more symbolic than anything and require extra care!
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From my vantage point waiting in line, I took in the surroundings:
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To the front, a license plate on the rear of the silver Toyota.
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To the rear, a license plate on the front of a blue Prius.
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And then there was the sheer excitement of this with my Co-Pilot:
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But all of that soon changed, yes, we started to move and before long our front wheels touched the sacred ground!
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And Sheepdog_44 just went out of control!
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-- IS THAT PRICELESS OR WHAT?! --
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Foot-by-foot, we got closer and closer to the start line and reality was just moments away!
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After passing under the Sprint sign, something magical happened. The sky opened up, the sun broke out, and one of us blew a stinky!
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And that wasn't all, my Co-Pilot had a Honda Insight shirt on! Was this a secret agent of Alfred State wielding the vile tear gas to sabotage team Centurion????
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The moment I discovered the hidden symbol on Sheepdog44's shirt, his equally keen eye spotted the onboard cameras and realized the gig was up!
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With no time to lose and a stalemate, team Centurion reunited!
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Now only precious seconds left, I released the poison gas and took a deep breath!
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We were now face-to-face with the Supreme Track Commander, and in a flash, with the speed and skill of only the most elite martial artists, he summoned the green flag - GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Hold onto your hats folks! The next entry in the series will include a rare ride around Watkins Glen GGP short course with team Centurion!!
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~CrazyJerry

[Xist]

Originally Posted by changzuki

an outstanding 172 mpg!

Plans for your car came out how long before the XL1? I do not have much money, but I could come up with a plan to make my own Centurion, but I could purchase a very nice house in my area for much less than that Volkswagon!

Good job!

[sheepdog 44]

You know your an ecomodder when...

[changzuki]

Originally Posted by Joggernot

NICE JOB!!

Originally Posted by Xist

Plans for your car came out how long before the XL1? I do not have much money, but I could come up with a plan to make my own Centurion, but I could purchase a very nice house in my area for much less than that Volkswagon!

Good job!

Thanks to both of you folks! Barring a catastrophe I was hoping for a real bang-on day.... and, well, let's see.....(Next posting for video link)
~CrazyJerry

[changzuki]

Clack-Clack-Clack-Clack-Clack...

Below is the start and the first couple of laps around the Watkins Glen Short course. Once in 4th it stays there - no problem and not using much of the 17 total horsepower either.

Silent movies used to be all the rage and maybe it's time to revive a classic - I seem to have lost the sound track and will put it on the to-do list when I get some free time. The quad screen is smaller than I'd like and the quality on youtube is degraded. It'll do for now..

Finally:
Urba Centurion - 2014 Watkins Glen Green Grand Prix
Urba Centurion - 2014 Watkins Glen Green Grand Prix - YouTube

~CrazyJerry

[changzuki]

If you've managed to stay awake through the last video, you might also like this one:

Alfred State Insight & Centurion at Watkins Glen Green Grand Prix
Alfred State Insight & Centurion at Watkins Glen Green Grand Prix 2014 - YouTube

~CrazyJerry

[Joggernot]

Tied for first? at 200 mpg?! Excellent job building and driving the Centurion. Enjoyed the silent movies, too.

[UltArc]

Send a PM with link to images you want and an e-mail address, and I will send originals! The tagging is so theives don't claim them- you are welcome to have originals!