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Originally Posted by ericbecky
Up to ten (10) teams will be selected and each will be provided a hybrid vehicle. One common vehicle will be used.
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Ahhh, so this is a driver skill test versus a hybrid vehicle test. Still, having all one model will make it easy to see how it works going on a casual, 22,000 mile drive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ericbecky
. . .
Usually there would be a $109,000 entry fee, but it is waived for NY to Paris MPG Challenge participants. That fee is generously being paid for by sponsors. So basically you need to get your team to New York and home from Paris.
Since this is an MPG Challenge we will be shooting more for MPG than precision.
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When I was asking about supporting the teams, I was thinking more along the lines of participants needing to eat, fuel purchases and other "cost of living" expenses (laundry, nick-nacks, supplies.) Then too, vehicles need stuff like oil changes, filters, and possibly tires. Plus plans (if any) to handle breakdowns.
I hadn't found the entry forms but I appreciate the link. As I looked at the form, even the shorter, North American rally had nearly a $6,000 entry cost . . . just to be in the race.
LATE THOUGHT: 22,000 miles / 20 miles per hour -> 1,100 driving hours. If driving 10 hours per day, that would be 110 days. Why 20 miles per hour? Between 18-20 miles per hour is the optimum distance, speed for a Prius and 18 miles per hour was the speed used for an Insight. Still, four months of solid 10 hours of driving would be worth it. Of course that might be the average speed of the first race!
DURATION OF EVENT: This press release states:
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The commemorative event will start May 30 in New York City and will finish in Paris, France on August 2, 2008.
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http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/s...e,201399.shtml
Knowing the logistics involved, I suspect the rally times will need some recognition by the hybrid drivers or there won't be any observers to mark completion of the course. Regardless, the race log should nail down the actual speeds traveled on each segment.
Looking at the statistics:
12,323 Total miles
50 Driving days, 65 elapsed
485 Max day miles
78 Min day miles
246 Avg. miles/day
I wonder if they will allow any battery pre-charging and block heater use before the official start of each segment?
GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson