Milwaukee Hybrid Group Update; 4-21-07
Hello to all MiHG members and friends,
Just a short update on the results of out 9th MiHG meet held last Saturday 4-21-07.
It was finally a gorgeous day which stimulated some great mileage. Justin bested my best attempt at 104.1 mpg by achieving 106.2 mpg on our way in to the meet from Pewaukee in our 2000 Insights. Debbie Anders, in her FEH, achieved a 53 mpg on a short run to Bay View Natural Outpost Foods during the meet. Many others had great numbers as we began to gather in the parking lot of the Oak Creek Public Library around 9:15am. Debbie started gathering our members since I was late for the first time ever. Vehicles at this meet included 2 FEH’s, 3 Camry Hybrid’s, 3 HCH’s, and 9 Prius 1st and 2nd and several conventional vehicles.
We had 29 members in attendance with 10 members attending for the first time. Attendance was lower than usual with many members out and about on other Earth Day activities in the area. The lower numbers and the new members offered us a rare opportunity to round robin on individual issues and concerns regarding vehicle performance. We reviewed many very basic EcoDriving and Hypermiling characteristics to the fascination of our new owners. We also discussed many of the warm weather driving tips to be used in the prime season for great FE. We welcomed our friends from down south including Tom Baleno, Larry Trowbridge, Richard Otto and Wayne Mitchell.
During our late and extended lunch, Wayne Mitchell gave a floor show performance with a technical session on a 1st gen Prius battery pack that he had brought up with him. Our members were thrilled by the intense technical insight that Wayne shared about the pack. This was the first time most of us had seen a pack in the flesh and Wayne was our dessert to a great potluck lunch. Justin performed his VTP checks and brought a portable compressor for those needing to be “pumped up”. In addition to the great relaxing lunch, we had numerous door prizes of CFL’s and vehicle grooming products that were won by members. Mike Kurer has been working with his sister, a graphic artist, on some new MiHG logo’s which members had a chance to critique and comment on.
As the meeting wound down about 1:30pm, I reviewed the events that MiHG have recently been involved with including:
MiHG news, events and updates
1. New Chicago Prius Group
2. Milwaukee Auto Show
3. Green Vehicles Workshop
4. Bayview Natural Outpost Foods: Sat. April 28
5. Germantown High School: Mon. April 23
6. Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful: Sat. May 12 ????????
7. Madison Hybrid Group Meet: Sat May 12
8. Madison Hybrid Cruise Night: Thurs. May 17 (Insight)
9. Chicago Prius Group Meet: Sun. May 20
10. Hybrid Gathering at Miller Park: Sun. June 3
11. MREA; June 15-17
12. Next MiHG Meet: Sat. June 23
13. MHG Cruise Night: Thurs. July 19 (Prius)
14. Hybridfest 2007: July 20-22
As members broke down the room, several of our newest members went out on personal driver training on both EcoDriving and Hypermiling techniques. The feedback from our newest members was very positive and appreciative to the tips learned and all were very impressed with the MiHG in general and our STEP approach to teaching.
Justin, Marie and I thank all in attendance for their help and support with this meet. We also thank all our members for their continued support and encouragement as the MiHG continues to grow and expands it outreach to new owners and the general public.
Bradlee Fons
News will be coming in days on the 4th annual “Hybrid Gathering at MillerPark” which will be held on Sunday June 3rd at….MillerPark.
Be there or be square!!!
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