So I am aware of the "top ten" records printed on the back of the EA handbook, but I notice that they only span a ten year period from 1999-2009. Has there been any significant changes in the record performances in the last seven years? Are national speed trials still held? Did those work the same as our races? I know Kirk Swaney built a car with impressive performance and even took it to Bonneville I think. However I'm more curious about the records for our standard 1 hr races.
There haven't been any official speed trials in quite a few years. Technically Micheal Lewis holds the speed record for the hour at 62.05, with us (Cloud Electric) just under at 61.7 miles in the hour. I hold the record on the Salt Flats still at 110.26 miles per hour. But we are pretty confidant that we could reach 130 mph if we ever go back.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrathon
The speed trials do work the same as any other race. Same batteries, time, etc... They are usually on long, even ovals as that is were you are going to get the best performance. For the salt flats you have to meet all EA rules.
We would love to do another long oval in attempts for the record as we are pretty confident we could get 65-70 mph!
-- Edited by ShannonCloud on Monday 2nd of May 2016 07:57:33 PM
Just out of curiosity are these records with lead acid batteries or lithium?
All lead acid. In order to have a record you need to follow all electrathon rules. Using lithium would put you in the experimental class and not be considered the same thing. We (Cloud Electric) have not done anything with lithium, we are too cheap!. Despite what people may think we spend a lot less money on our cars than a lot of people.
I'm not sure about Electrathon America specifically, but the records under NECA rules are 40 mph for a continuous hour on two lead acid batteries. The all time record is 92 laps at a 7/16th of a mile track, Berlin Raceway, however, when the record was set, modifications and heating of batteries was legal. The most recent record for legal batteries is 89 laps by our car a couple years ago. We actually have a very good chance at breaking 90 and beating the 92 lap record this Friday. We also hold the record at Hawkeye Downs, Iowa which is a half mile track with 79 laps. Bottom line: it is very difficult to break that 40mph line, with only a couple cars to have done it.
Each of our tracks has a distance/laps record as well. Great your are nearing the record in some of your races. Next weekend we go to Portland International Raceway. This is an Indy style track with many corners and a 15 foot elevation change. The distance record on this track for adults and students is 44 miles in the hour which is 22 laps. We hold this record with Clouds. We were about 30 feet short of getting the 23rd lap for 46 miles about 10 years ago but just short. Or Dave/Shannon did you guys ever get that last lap? The record for Electrathon with totally legal lead acid batteries is 62 miles in the hour on a 5 mile oval Ford testing track which is very level and nearly like driving in a straight line as you take the laps according to some of the people that drove it. As described on the last 2 pages of the Electrathon Handbook this would use the same rate of energy use as going 2370 miles on a gallon of gas.
Sorry Eric you do not hold the record at Hawkeye Downs. Check with Barry Wilson.
I was talking about within the NECA rules and events. I didn't think we would have the record for all time. As you may know the Midwest Speed Trials are this Saturday... do you happen to know what the record is? Or even what year it was set?
-- Edited by Lutzedarknut on Sunday 22nd of May 2016 11:18:26 PM
-- Edited by Lutzedarknut on Monday 23rd of May 2016 12:06:52 AM
Sorry Eric you do not hold the record at Hawkeye Downs. Check with Barry Wilson.
I was talking about within the NECA rules and events. I didn't think we would have the record for all time. As you may know the Midwest Speed Trials are this Saturday... do you happen to know what the record is? Or even what year it was set?
-- Edited by Lutzedarknut on Sunday 22nd of May 2016 11:18:26 PM
-- Edited by Lutzedarknut on Monday 23rd of May 2016 12:06:52 AM
I'm not sure but I think it is 86 laps. The batteries were Optima red tops and the car was 64 ia.
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