I am excited to find out when the next race is in Portland. If not until the end of summer, I am thinking of setting up a road race in Bellingham, Seattle, or Portland this spring. Would anyone be interested in helping to organize another event at the PIR with additional festivities such as music and prizes?
Our car Viking PI has a good chance of winning one of these comps, being designed by a prominent vehicle engineer.
It would be neat to use a large PV array to run some of the chargers...I could make this happen and show up with pv arrays.
I would also like to add as second lithium class with a max build cost of 3000. This could have different rules than the Lead Acid class and actually be based around say a 2000 w/h pack with a ten lap race at 80 + mph top. This could add a more impressive end to the comp.
I propose that there be 1 m^2 solar cell allowed on the vehicle with CPV also allowed. This would create interesting reflector schemes on the vehicles and a little more runtime.
The spring series is pretty much set already. There are & races coming up in the NW, with PIR being over memorial weekend.
Ht Hood collage is march 9 Hood river april 13 april 20 may 4 may 11 may 18 PIR may 25-26
As to the rental of PIR you need to look at the schedule, I doubt there are any dates open, but you would have to ask. It is not a cheap track to rent.
Also if you alter the batteries used you will be in violation of Electrathon America rules. Not a huge deal but you will have to get insurance from another place than the EA policy.
Contact me if you have other questions, Mark W and I are the ones that put on PIR.
Thanks, the vehicle was designed by Dr. Seal, I helped build. Full carbon, but no we ran 2 gel cells, 24 volt motor. Some digital glitch with the controller prevented placing first race.
It looks like I will be showing up for the next race. I am aware no lithium class exist, but seems it would be fun even if only few cars could compete since the cars could sustain higher speeds for more entertaining races.
The experimental class does allow lithium batteries. Based on my experience with Kokam lithium polymer batteries, it would be quite possible to put together a 1,000 Watt-hour pack. This would be about 30% more capacity than our team has gotten out of lead acid and allow the vehicle to be 58 lbs lighter. So it is quite possible to meet your goal of sustaining higher speeds within the existing rules. The pack would cost more but should be able to run more races (better cycle life than the way we abuse lead acid).
UFOMAN, We will be looking for you at Hood River on April 13th. This race has about a 35 foot drop in a block with a hard right turn at the bottom of it. So be sure your steering is good. Of course with the big drop are a couple of hills to get up there. I real driver's race. With the hills and tight corners most cars do not do much over 25 mph on this track.
After that is: Pasco WA on April 27th, Lacey WA on May 4th, Mapleton, OR on May 11th, Lane CC in Eugene, OR on May 18th Then of course PIR on May 25th and 26th.
On July 19th & 20th there is a two day race in Corvallis, OR as part of the daVinci Days and on August 24th & 25th there is a two day race as part of the Eugene Celebration.
By the way, there are sometimes a few 'experimental' batteries at the races in the NW. White Salmon, WA and Monroe, OR both have a car or two and I think WSU has one or two cars set up with them as well. There may also be a few more this year. Mike
Yes all indication are that is it is back up. Kirk at Destiny Parts had some meeting and worked to convince them, and they are planning on having it--may even be bigger feature event than the last few years!! They are looking for money still but feel like it will happen. I could really use some HELP on it because for it to go I said I would be in charge which means I won't get to drive--sad to say that make 3 races (5 day) out of 9 races and 12 days each year I am now in charge of and can't drive!!! I will need help setting up, inspectors, Centennial to count laps, flaggers, clean up help, etc. to make it all happen.
