SMCC Economy Run - June 9th - can you beat 3.89L/100km???

[nerdboy]

Same route for the third year and we'll see if we can lower the bar any further! This is a fuel economy rally with all elapsed time sections - you're penalised for lateness and, of course, fuel consumption.

Here's the flyer: http://www.smccrally.com/cgi-bin/template.cgi?todo=default&url=events/EconomyRun/2012/Flyer.htm

And the results from the two previous years:

[dbg]

So... can I bring my Tesla. I can absolutely guarantee that I won't use any gasoline.

[nerdboy]

So... can I bring my Tesla. I can absolutely guarantee that I won't use any gasoline.

Yes of course and please do!!!

The FIA has a formula for pure-electric cars in economy rallies. We can apply that to make objective comparisons. But on fuel consumption, you would be in a class of your own.

[dbg]

Yes of course and please do!!!

The FIA has a formula for pure-electric cars in economy rallies. We can apply that to make objective comparisons. But on fuel consumption, you would be in a class of your own.

Maybe I will... it sounds like fun.

I'm curious what that formula is. Do you have a link?

The Tesla has a nominal range on one charge of 385 km driving @ 90 kph. I see the route is 198 km - is that the entire distance traveled? Or would there be large additional distances between legs? I assume the end point isn't going to be 200 km from Montreal - would be nice to be within range of a charge station (or at least an RV campground) so I can recharge for the drive home!

[nerdboy]

I'm curious what that formula is. Do you have a link?

The Tesla has a nominal range on one charge of 385 km driving @ 90 kph. I see the route is 198 km - is that the entire distance traveled? Or would there be large additional distances between legs? I assume the end point isn't going to be 200 km from Montreal - would be nice to be within range of a charge station (or at least an RV campground) so I can recharge for the drive home!

I believe all the FIA info about alternative energy events is here: http://www.fia.com/sport/Regulations/altregs.html

The Economy Run is a loop where we start and finish at the same gas station on Boul. Celine-Dion (yes, I'm not making that up!) in Repentigny, QC, just East of Montreal. You'll be stretching it to do Ottawa + the rally, but we can surely help you out with charging up. Every year I've put up our US competitors for a night or two, so if you or anyone would like to couple the event with some F1 fun, that can be arranged too - I live a short walk from the downtown F1 displays.

Club Smart QC is taking the event VERY seriously this year and might field ten or more cars. The Ecomodders are preparing well in advance too. A Tesla would raise the bar for the fossil-fueled competition!

[dbg]

Okay, that sounds quite doable. Yes, I will need a top-up to return home. I can do that with a standard charge station, or just as easily with a standard 240V plug (found at RV campgrounds, behind stoves, etc.). I can also use 110V but it takes forever.

I'll have to find a co-driver.

I believe all the FIA info about alternative energy events is here: http://www.fia.com/sport/Regulations/altregs.html

The Economy Run is a loop where we start and finish at the same gas station on Boul. Celine-Dion (yes, I'm not making that up!) in Repentigny, QC, just East of Montreal. You'll be stretching it to do Ottawa + the rally, but we can surely help you out with charging up. Every year I've put up our US competitors for a night or two, so if you or anyone would like to couple the event with some F1 fun, that can be arranged too - I live a short walk from the downtown F1 displays.

Club Smart QC is taking the event VERY seriously this year and might field ten or more cars. The Ecomodders are preparing well in advance too. A Tesla would raise the bar for the fossil-fueled competition!

[nerdboy]

Teaser video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKS7Lk4_aLg

I'll have to find a co-driver.

I'm assuming it won't be a problem to find someone to co-drive for you in the Tesla, but if you're stuck, I'm sure we can find you an experienced local. Just let me know. Preregistration is open here:

http://www.smccrally.com/cgi-bin/template.cgi?todo=temp_form_registry.cgi

Just give "Driver & Codriver - Make Model Year"

[nerdboy]

would be nice to be within range of a charge station (or at least an RV campground) so I can recharge for the drive home!

Good news for you - Hydro-Quebec 'n pals have teamed up to install 240V charging stations this Spring, and some are already in place:
http://media.hydroquebec.com/en/communiques/communique/electric-circuit-first-public-charging-stations-in-service

Here are the two closest ones to the event start/finish (in Charlemagne), as far as I can tell:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=150+Rue+Louvain,+Repentigny,+QC&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=45.718286,-73.487549&spn=0.101155,0.16016&sll=45.670924,-73.520508&sspn=0.202481,0.32032&oq=150,+rue+Louvain&hnear=150+Rue+Louvain,+Repentigny,+L'Assomption,+Qu%C3%A9bec+J6A+8J4&t=m&z=13
http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=12575+Rue+Sherbrooke+Est,+Montr%C3%A9al,+QC&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=45.670924,-73.520508&spn=0.202481,0.32032&sll=45.495576,-73.56073&sspn=0.012695,0.02002&oq=12575,+rue+Sherbrooke+Est&hnear=12575+Rue+Sherbrooke+Est,+Montr%C3%A9al,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Montr%C3%A9al,+Qu%C3%A9bec+H1B+1C8&t=m&z=12

[nerdboy]

The event is next Saturday on F1 weekend.

For my part, this year I'll be testing out my DIY chin spoiler made from 5" lawn edging and lots of love:



Not as cool as the tail on this Jetta though! The driver is looking for a codriver, so for all the VW fans out there, here's a chance for the ride of your life!



For all the info, check out our flyer:
http://www.smccrally.com/cgi-bin/template.cgi?todo=default&url=events/EconomyRun/2012/Flyer.htm

[blownb310]

Okay, that sounds quite doable. Yes, I will need a top-up to return home. I can do that with a standard charge station, or just as easily with a standard 240V plug (found at RV campgrounds, behind stoves, etc.).

I'll have to find a co-driver.

Hi there dbg, I really hope you can make it out to join us as I'm a big fan of EV's and would love to see your car and meet you. Can you post a pic of your car please?

Cheers, Mike K.
'97 Geo Metro

[dbg]

Hi there dbg, I really hope you can make it out to join us as I'm a big fan of EV's and would love to see your car and meet you. Can you post a pic of your car please?

Things are pretty busy... this might be a last-minute decision.

Some pics:

[nerdboy]

Things are pretty busy... this might be a last-minute decision.

Hope it works out that you can make it. Fortunately there are now electric charging stations near the rally start/finish. And the presence of a pure EV that can do the entire 198km route might bruise some egos, create great discussion and up the bar for next year.

And you'll have a LOT of fun, especially if the weather holds out as is currently forecast.

If you need a codriver, Harold from SMCC is super-keen. I think he tried to contact you through the MCO forum, but if you need his info, just PM/e-mail me.

[nerdboy]

Looks like perfect weather for an Economy Run tomorrow! Sunny and not too scorching hot for those of us who will slog it out with the windows up and the fan off.

You can simply show up at the rally start at 11am and sign up.

After the event we'll head back to downtown Montreal and take in some of the fun F1 events on Crescent and Peel and possibly another students vs. police dance. Anyone is free to join us for that and there's the possibility to crash at my place too. Looking forward - it should be our most competitive Run to date!

[dbg]

Unfortunately my logistics aren't working out. I originally hoped to go to Montreal tonight, but I'm not able to do that.

The problem is that the chargers that have been deployed around Montreal are only 30A. At that power level, if I came down in the morning I wouldn't have enough time to recharge prior to the event.

[nerdboy]

The problem is that the chargers that have been deployed around Montreal are only 30A. At that power level, if I came down in the morning I wouldn't have enough time to recharge prior to the event.

Hmmm, that's unfortunate about the Hydro-Quebec charging stations. I'm doing a quick check if anyone here can lend a "juicy" 220V outlet near the rally start and will post here if there's any success on that front. What's your charge time like on a "juicy" outlet?

On another note, a 2012 Prius C just signed up, which should add some serious competition to the mix!

[dbg]

I'd probably need about 60% after driving to Montreal. I can probably get away with not fully charging it, but let's use that as a baseline.

A 240V / 70A charge station will need about 2 hours. That's what I have in my garage. That will work out great if I leave at 6 am. Unfortunately we're pretty unlikely to find that.

A typical 208V / 30A charge station would require about 6 hours (208V is from commercial 3-phase supply; it's noticeably faster at 240V).

A 40A / 240V NEMA 14-50 plug (e.g. stove plug, RV camper plug) will do it in about 4 hours. Maybe if I left really early, and didn't fully charge, that would be okay.

[nerdboy]

I'm checking with our membership if anyone can lend you a 240V outlet in the morning or afterward. I realized that the Hydro-Quebec charging stations require a prepaid card that you need to get by the mail. Not so convenient...

Will let you know immediately if I have good news. Check PM for my contact info.

[nerdboy]

We had excellent weather and great competition. Lots of interesting data to discuss for a long time. Photos to come...

[nerdboy]

This is the first-gen insight responsible for lowering the bar to 3.09L/100km. That will be tough to beat next year!



The rally start looked like a Smart dealership!!!



And here's a mix of hybrid, biodiesel and good old gas entries (I'm proud that the Levin actually beat that biodiesel Smart in raw fuel economy!)