Electrathon of America National Championship race Dec 5,6,7 Orlando Florida
ProEV said
Aug 15, 2013
Greetings Fellow Racers,
Who is coming to the National Championship Race Decemeber 5,6,7 At Disney?
The organizers are trying to get an idea about numbers so if you have not filled out the 30 second survey, please do so, The link is here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DHDZTFP
I will be there running The Blue Sky Super Coupe.
I am coming from close by, Ft Lauderdale Florida.
Who else and from where?
cloudvolt said
Aug 18, 2013
I might come, two cars, from ,Seattle Wa. David Cloud
ProEV said
Aug 18, 2013
Hope you can make it. Then it will truly be a National Championship.
meangreen said
Aug 19, 2013
I'll be there with at least 2 cars, possibly as many as 4 if I can acquire enough batteries to run them all... When I'm not physically IN one of my race cars, I will be helping with officiating in some capacity. Anyway, I am close by also; I live near the Kennedy Space Center and Disney is just over an hour away.
There will be a lot more specific information released as details are worked out, but this should be an Electrathon event unlike any in the past. Although the official format has not been finalized, tentative plans are for up to 8 to 10 races taking place over the 3-day period with the finals being on Saturday afternoon. This is not just an Electrathon only event; our races will be a part of a much larger "green fair" featuring concept cars, robotics, alternative energy sources, etc. There will be a lot to see and do for everyone.
dmorgan said
Aug 26, 2013
I hope we can bring our 2 cars. $$ always the problem!
electrathon said
Aug 28, 2013
I would love to be there, but it is a LONG way away.
ProEV said
Aug 30, 2013
Yes, and you have about the furthest distance to go!
At least Electrathon vehicles are easier to transport than conventional race cars. I wonder what it would cost to box up the car and uShip (http://www.uship.com/) it. I think the organizers will be willing to help figure out how to accept and store boxed vehicles sent ahead.
The other idea is to ' car pool . See what other teams are trying to come and arrange a big trailer that can take a number of teams.
It is a long way especial for all the teams in the North West but wouldnt it be great to get everybody together to race?
mhodgertt said
Sep 5, 2013
For those in the Oregon area. Aimee is thinking about driving down with her dad and maybe a couple of others she knows can drive another rig if there are that many cars. I told Aimee that she can borrow my trailer and her dad has a big diesel truck that she said would easily haul it. So that might be an option if it works out. If the cars are packed tight and not longer than 8' you can fit 14 cars on there--12 of our cars fit easy with some room between them. Then all you will need to do is come up with $$$ for plane tickets, room and board etc. I will let you all know that right now the site has been changed a little and the track looks like it might just be a simple rectangle and about 1/3 mile long by the Richard Petty driving track and away from the main part of Disney World and the Coranado resort. We have an Electrathon Foundation meeting next Tuesday PM to try to work out some of the details and feasibility of the whole race.
Vic556 said
Sep 6, 2013
We have a whole parking lot and are looking to make it more than a simple rectangle.
1/3 to 1/2 mile long.
ShannonCloud said
Sep 9, 2013
Would it be at all possible to have a longer track as well? While I understand many people find the shorter tracks more fun, it actually is drifting away from what electrathon actually stands for. (And no, I am not just saying this because many people think our cars do better on longer tracks because we have vehicles that have won and broken records on very tight tracks too). The goal of electrathon racing is "To drive an electrically powered vehicles as far as possible in one hour" (Page 3 of the official handbook and the number 1 competition objective). And the key words in the description of an electrathon are lightweight and aerodynamic. On a small course you are not showing the true capability of electrathons. If electrathon racing is about "develop[ing] a sport that improves public understanding of electric vehicles" as the official EA statement of purpose says then the best way to due so is by presenting vehicles going as far as possible.
I do not see why this race gets to be called the "National Championship". It is not showcasing the sport and electric vehicles to the maximum. On a tight course the best a car is going to be able to do is probably around 30 miles give or take, where as the record for an hour is more than double that. While I understand that a short track race may be more entertaining to watch and more fun for many drivers its just doesn't make sense, nor is it logical, to call it a championship when it does not showcase the best performance capabilities.
I assume at this point it may be too late to secure a larger space or track. But if multiple races are going to happen, maybe different course types could be set up. A vehicle that can to both is clearly more impressive and showcases the full potential of the sport.
Shannon Cloud
Vic556 said
Sep 10, 2013
I agree about the idea of a longer track. The problem is how many parking lots we can get Disney to give up for our races.
Right now the parking lot we have will fit a rectangle of about 1/4 mile or a course with switch backs of about 1/3 mile.
To reconfigure the course for different races is a possibility.
There is a meeting scheduled to iron out final details after which there should be a lot more info to post in a day or two..
Vic Nieves
Vic556 said
Sep 12, 2013
After much discussion the 1st ever Electrathon America Championships are a GOOOOOO. Dec. 5-6 Friday and Sat.
The location has changed from the Coronado Resort and Convention Center at Disney World to an area to the
North West of the Richard Petty Driving Experience. The track is less than a mile from the ticket counters for the Magic Kingdom
Track layout will take up almost all of the parking area plus. It will be about 1/3 mile and challenging.
Set up will be on Thursday the 4th with races starting on Friday the 5th with 4 races and Sat the 6 with multiple races and the Championships.
Vic Nieves
-- Edited by Vic556 on Thursday 12th of September 2013 04:13:19 AM
slam said
Sep 18, 2013
I am very excited about this venue (not just because it is in my back yard). It has a great possibility for exposure. I,m hoping some Orlando schools can gain traction for supporting an electrathon team.
In responce to the idea that long oval tracks embody what electrathon America is all about. I don't think it is about how much distance can be covered in one hour. I think it is about introducing engineering, building, organizing, and electric vehicles to the students participating in a FUN and educational way. No ground breaking, world changing technology will come out of racing these cars, but perhaps these kids that participate in racing these cars will go on to create ground breaking tech. My friend drew and I have been racing for 4? Years. We do it because it is fun. But we are completely open source and we love to see the school teams grow and develop.
It is no secret that I prefer the tight parking lot courses that are popular in Florida. No distance record will be set doing these courses but different engineering criteria are required than building a streamliner I do think that these courses provide fun and are easier for spectators to be entertained.
That's my .02 cents
Steve
meangreen said
Sep 23, 2013
As an old former stock car racer, nobody enjoys the speed of a long smooth track more than me, but I have to agree with Slam. Distance and speed records may not be broken on the short tight courses, but a lot more is required than just going as fast as possible for an hour. The car has to be designed and built to handle well while withstanding all the stresses that come with turning tight corners at racing speeds. New teams usually find out very quickly if their design is viable and if their preparation was adequate. Also, the short tight road courses quickly separate the real drivers from the "wanna be's". Drivers must be very focused on the task at hand at all times. Rookie drivers sometimes find out very quickly if they can do the job or if they should leave the driving to someone else.
I always assumed the quote from the rule book, "To drive an electrically powered vehicle as far as possible in one hour" meant that the challenge was to complete the most laps on any given course. In fact, I think that is how most people interpret that statement. If speed and distance were our only goals, we would only be racing at places like Daytona or Indianapolis where the turns are all big and banked and the tracks are so big that traffic is never an issue. That, unfortunately, would take driving out of the equation and we might as well be racing Hotwheels cars down a ramp somewhere. I will race anybody on any type of course; just give me the track layout so I can make a guess at the proper gear ratio and let's rock!
ShannonCloud said
Sep 23, 2013
Electrathon racing is a vehicle competition, not a drivers competition (which is why there are rules such as ballast).I have no problem racing short tracks, they are fun and definitely more entertaining to drive and watch. But by calling a race a "national championship" it is only logical that there is a possibility for the record to be broken. It is simply not possible on short tracks. I'm by any means belittling this event, I know a lot of work and planning has gone into it and I would love for electrathon racing to become more well known. I previously was only seeing what the likely hood of a longer track was and trying to prove a point about the way the sport is changing (which again is fine, but it's just not the original goals that were in mind when the sport started 20+ years ago in the States).
drewjet said
Sep 26, 2013
I don't think any records are going to be broken, unless you are on a banked oval, which is not available. My personal preference is the short tight course. I also think that is a better spectator layout, which is one of the main reasons for this venue. It is hard to call this a championship, as normally that would involve tabulating totals from many combined races, not just one weekend.
Vic556 said
Oct 8, 2013
The race is canceled. First location was at the hotel. Second location was a big parking lot by the race track, could have had almost a half mile track. Last location was way to small. Disney and RPM could not agree on a location that we could make work. Worried about parking spaces and crowds. Maybe next time.
Greetings Fellow Racers,
Who is coming to the National Championship Race Decemeber 5,6,7 At Disney?
The organizers are trying to get an idea about numbers so if you have not filled out the 30 second survey, please do so, The link is here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DHDZTFP
I will be there running The Blue Sky Super Coupe.
I am coming from close by, Ft Lauderdale Florida.
Who else and from where?
I might come, two cars, from ,Seattle Wa. David Cloud
Hope you can make it. Then it will truly be a National Championship.
There will be a lot more specific information released as details are worked out, but this should be an Electrathon event unlike any in the past. Although the official format has not been finalized, tentative plans are for up to 8 to 10 races taking place over the 3-day period with the finals being on Saturday afternoon. This is not just an Electrathon only event; our races will be a part of a much larger "green fair" featuring concept cars, robotics, alternative energy sources, etc. There will be a lot to see and do for everyone.
Yes, and you have about the furthest distance to go!
At least Electrathon vehicles are easier to transport than conventional race cars. I wonder what it would cost to box up the car and uShip (http://www.uship.com/) it. I think the organizers will be willing to help figure out how to accept and store boxed vehicles sent ahead.
The other idea is to ' car pool . See what other teams are trying to come and arrange a big trailer that can take a number of teams.
It is a long way especial for all the teams in the North West but wouldnt it be great to get everybody together to race?
We have a whole parking lot and are looking to make it more than a simple rectangle.
1/3 to 1/2 mile long.
Would it be at all possible to have a longer track as well? While I understand many people find the shorter tracks more fun, it actually is drifting away from what electrathon actually stands for. (And no, I am not just saying this because many people think our cars do better on longer tracks because we have vehicles that have won and broken records on very tight tracks too). The goal of electrathon racing is "To drive an electrically powered vehicles as far as possible in one hour" (Page 3 of the official handbook and the number 1 competition objective). And the key words in the description of an electrathon are lightweight and aerodynamic. On a small course you are not showing the true capability of electrathons. If electrathon racing is about "develop[ing] a sport that improves public understanding of electric vehicles" as the official EA statement of purpose says then the best way to due so is by presenting vehicles going as far as possible.
I do not see why this race gets to be called the "National Championship". It is not showcasing the sport and electric vehicles to the maximum. On a tight course the best a car is going to be able to do is probably around 30 miles give or take, where as the record for an hour is more than double that. While I understand that a short track race may be more entertaining to watch and more fun for many drivers its just doesn't make sense, nor is it logical, to call it a championship when it does not showcase the best performance capabilities.
I assume at this point it may be too late to secure a larger space or track. But if multiple races are going to happen, maybe different course types could be set up. A vehicle that can to both is clearly more impressive and showcases the full potential of the sport.
Shannon Cloud
I agree about the idea of a longer track. The problem is how many parking lots we can get Disney to give up for our races.
Right now the parking lot we have will fit a rectangle of about 1/4 mile or a course with switch backs of about 1/3 mile.
To reconfigure the course for different races is a possibility.
There is a meeting scheduled to iron out final details after which there should be a lot more info to post in a day or two..
Vic Nieves
After much discussion the 1st ever Electrathon America Championships are a GOOOOOO. Dec. 5-6 Friday and Sat.
The location has changed from the Coronado Resort and Convention Center at Disney World to an area to the
North West of the Richard Petty Driving Experience. The track is less than a mile from the ticket counters for the Magic Kingdom
Track layout will take up almost all of the parking area plus. It will be about 1/3 mile and challenging.
Set up will be on Thursday the 4th with races starting on Friday the 5th with 4 races and Sat the 6 with multiple races and the Championships.
Vic Nieves
-- Edited by Vic556 on Thursday 12th of September 2013 04:13:19 AM
In responce to the idea that long oval tracks embody what electrathon America is all about. I don't think it is about how much distance can be covered in one hour. I think it is about introducing engineering, building, organizing, and electric vehicles to the students participating in a FUN and educational way. No ground breaking, world changing technology will come out of racing these cars, but perhaps these kids that participate in racing these cars will go on to create ground breaking tech. My friend drew and I have been racing for 4? Years. We do it because it is fun. But we are completely open source and we love to see the school teams grow and develop.
It is no secret that I prefer the tight parking lot courses that are popular in Florida. No distance record will be set doing these courses but different engineering criteria are required than building a streamliner I do think that these courses provide fun and are easier for spectators to be entertained.
That's my .02 cents
Steve
I always assumed the quote from the rule book, "To drive an electrically powered vehicle as far as possible in one hour" meant that the challenge was to complete the most laps on any given course. In fact, I think that is how most people interpret that statement. If speed and distance were our only goals, we would only be racing at places like Daytona or Indianapolis where the turns are all big and banked and the tracks are so big that traffic is never an issue. That, unfortunately, would take driving out of the equation and we might as well be racing Hotwheels cars down a ramp somewhere. I will race anybody on any type of course; just give me the track layout so I can make a guess at the proper gear ratio and let's rock!
Electrathon racing is a vehicle competition, not a drivers competition (which is why there are rules such as ballast).I have no problem racing short tracks, they are fun and definitely more entertaining to drive and watch. But by calling a race a "national championship" it is only logical that there is a possibility for the record to be broken. It is simply not possible on short tracks. I'm by any means belittling this event, I know a lot of work and planning has gone into it and I would love for electrathon racing to become more well known. I previously was only seeing what the likely hood of a longer track was and trying to prove a point about the way the sport is changing (which again is fine, but it's just not the original goals that were in mind when the sport started 20+ years ago in the States).
The race is canceled. First location was at the hotel. Second location was a big parking lot by the race track, could have had almost a half mile track. Last location was way to small. Disney and RPM could not agree on a location that we could make work. Worried about parking spaces and crowds. Maybe next time.