Refuel 2012 date has been announced and registratihttp://www.speedventures.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?id=409 Scrolling down to the link to see the people who have already signed up, I noticed that Joe Nuxoll (Tesla employee and serious amateur racer) has signed up, but not listed what car he'll be driving. Since this is July, does anyone think he'll be in a Model S performance? If so, I smell a new EV track record!
ABG: REFUEL reopens Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to electric vehicles. For free Anyone planning on going this year? Previous years: 3rd annual ReFuel: Sun 6/26/11 @ Laguna Seca 2nd annual ReFuel: Sun 7/11/10 @ Laguna Seca Alternative Vehicles at Laguna Seca 7/19/2009
A little birdie tells me there may be some Model S's on hand. Betas or engineering vehicles. Also, how does one pluralize Model S?
Two ways, take your pick: 1. Assume the Model S doesn't have a plural form. I have three Model S. 2. Use the regular pluralization rules. I have three Model Ses.
Thanks Jerry. I had written it as #2, but hate the was it looks on the page (or screen, as it were). Then, I remembered my computer has Google and found this... Works for me.
I'm going to disagree with Jerry. My preference is for Model Ss followed by Model S's. If you want to continue the style discussion, do it in the this thread: Grammar question: Plural of Model S?
Trying to get back On Topic here. I think we're going to see a Performance Model S at the track on July 1. Anyone want to take bets on the time? Here's a Motor Trend article on the 30 best production car laps: http://www.motortrend.com/features/laguna_lap/ Dodge Viper at 1:34 (best) Best Roadster time: 1:50.89 Jag XFR at 1:45:37 (interesting as same car form factor as Model S)
I am working to get a LEAF / iMiev fast charger available, but I'm told only 208 volt is available. Does anybody know the maximum power available in volts / amps / phases at the event?
I know last time some electricians wired up something that did a "fan out" to a bunch of NEMA14-50's near the pits. There were maybe 10 cars charging at the same time. So, there seems to be a good amount of power there. Perhaps it is 3 phases of high current 208V. Even if it is there, you might be in contention with other vehicles charging from the NEMA14-50s. Hopefully someone from the event will respond to your queries with more specific detailed information. By the way, if you do manage to get QC there, I might drive my LEAF to the event. Otherwise I pull the backup gas car out of storage...
What are the rules regarding car numbers, and what options do previous participants recommend for Roadsters?
Oh really? How many participants do they allow? I was thinking earlier that they might get over run with Volts and Leafs now. While that's a sign of progress, it's also less exciting. Hopefully they have some kind of quota system ensure some variety.
Just got word that there is 480v 3 phase in the central paddock area. I'm waiting to determine how many amps I can pull.
Anyone know if the Roadster must have a hardtop at this? Probably the most aerodynamic but a little heavier.
The numbers are supposed to be at least 8" high on both sides and the rear, but I don't think any of the Roadsters have had numbers on the rear. You choose your own number. If I remember the rules correctly, the numbers are supposed to be three digits with no more than one 1 (popular since easy to make with tape) and one 7 (popular for luck). The first year I used 033 for my car VIN 33, but subsequently I skipped the 0. Bill Arnett similarly uses number 55. I plan to bring a roll of 1" blue painters tape for this. Last year I pre-cut appropriate lengths of tape and put them back on the roll to speed up the application. The event detail page at Speed Ventures - Track Event Detailed Information has a link near the bottom to show the list of participants. The list contains 67 names, of which 34 have not declared a car type. There are 5 BMWs, 2 Volts, 7 Leafs, 11 Roadsters, and 8 others. In past years, cars have run with both soft-top and no-top. The rules require a hardtop or roll bar; I guess the Roadster's roll bar qualifies. Everyone (drivers and passengers) must wear an approved helmet regardless of the choice of top.