10 replies to this topic

[William Bonsell]

Ok, so I will admit I am a bit of over thinker at times so please bear with me. I am running a short 4 hour enduro race in April. I sure would like some guidance, so here are the details.

1. 3 man driver team (we are pretty old so no one wanted to do a 2 hour stint)!
2. 1.6 with original 122k motor, but tuned AFM
3. Track length is 2.25 miles
4. Limited to only 10 gals of fuel at green flag and 10 gals per refuel. Stock 5 gallon jugs with 1 inch diameter long spout.
5. Car has a functioning trip odometer as well as a small stick on clock. (In car communications capability is only 50/50 ATT)
6. Hot pits are set up in the normal paddock area. Estimate just a minute or so to even get to the hot pit and then driver change and fuel.

Whether I use minutes per gallon or miles per gallon, it seems like we will be short about 15-20 minutes doing just two stops for fuel and driver change. That number is based upon 11mpg or 110 miles. Car has done 1:45 in qualifying, but will no doubt cut that back, but by how much? 1:48's? Good question. I don't know.....

So............how is pit strategy best set up. I know variables come into play...mechanical issues, full course yellows, etc, but assuming 4 hours of green flag racing and no car issues, how would you handle fuel and driver strategy? Last minute slash and go? Early pit after say 20mins for fuel and driver change? Also trying to give each driver equal seat time if at all possible. Go flat out from the start and do the 3 stops, or conserve and try to get to the checkered flag with only 2 stops?

Also if someone has a really good and reliable mpg or min/gallon for a stock 1.6 motor in cooler temps, great. Also what happens to those numbers running on a really wet track?

Thanks....see I told you up front I tend to over think this s**t!!

Bill

[davew]

Try not to over think this. Figure out a plan, write it down. When the green flag flys, crumple up the paper and throw it over your sholder for good luck!!!! Cuz that is all that piece of paper is good for.

4 hours is 240 minutes. You will do 2 pit stops (driver #1 out, #2 in and #2 out, #3 in) of about 5 minutes each. So 230 minutes of actuall track time assuming green. Divide by 3 drivers and you have 77 minutes per driver. You should have no problem making that time on 10 gallons.

If you are worried, short shift. If you normally shift at 7000, droping to 6500 will save a lot of fuel, but only add a little in lap time. Shift at 6000 and you can probably go 2 hours without fueling.

Dave

[William Bonsell]

That's exactly the type of info I am looking for Dave. Give's me a lot of confidence! Wasn't sure I could do this on just two stops. Thanks.....

[Johnny D]

Not sure the rules but...
If you have to start on the gas tank you qual on, maybe get your fastest guys to do a few laps and call it done to save gas.

Chances are if you get some FCY you'll be in your window.
You'll also have a good chance if you start to run out, you'll make it back to the pits before you do.
You'll run out in a turn (no pick up) and get some back on the flats.

You really want to do your last stop as early as possible, you'll catch up on yellows (if any) and/or while others are pitting.

Go with it whatever happens, don't make it stressful, have fun.
IMO,
J~

[wheel]

Have the refueling worked out. We did this with a two man team (total, two drivers, no additional crew) and I was so pumped when I got out of the car, I couldn't function too well with the fuel jug. Usually the fueler has to be in full nomex, with helmet and gloves, so have someone (maybe your third driver) standing by so the outgoing and incoming drivers don't have to think about it.

[William Bonsell]

Interesting rules. No qualifying, but 3 - 20 min practice sessions prior to start of 4 hour race. Grid position set by registration. 1st team to register gets the pole. Must start with 10 gallons of fuel in the limited class. Have everything covered. 3 drivers and a 3 man crew including fueler. Am really glad to see that we can do this entire 4 hours with just 2 pit stops and 30 gallons of fuel...at least that is the feed back I'm getting. Will short shift a bit, but still want to run respectable lap times.

Appreciate the responses fellas....

Bill

[Glenn]

Try not to over think this. Figure out a plan, write it down. When the green flag flys, crumple up the paper and throw it over your sholder for good luck!!!! Cuz that is all that piece of paper is good for.

4 hours is 240 minutes. You will do 2 pit stops (driver #1 out, #2 in and #2 out, #3 in) of about 5 minutes each. So 230 minutes of actuall track time assuming green. Divide by 3 drivers and you have 77 minutes per driver. You should have no problem making that time on 10 gallons.

If you are worried, short shift. If you normally shift at 7000, droping to 6500 will save a lot of fuel, but only add a little in lap time. Shift at 6000 and you can probably go 2 hours without fueling.

Dave

Thats a good plan IF the driver remembers, LOL. I think we recently lost a 6 hour enduro by 1 pit stop..........

[BrianZ]

Thats a good plan IF the driver remembers, LOL. I think we recently lost a 6 hour enduro by 1 pit stop..........

yea we lost that race by 1 pit stop and a mabey a driver that had a heavy foot and forgot to shift a little early most of the time but we had fun.

[William Bonsell]

Have another enduro coming up in October - 8 hours this time with 3 drivers. Did pretty well in April during the 4 hour taking 2nd in a 5 car class. Car performed perfectly. This upcoming 8 hours will consist of about 3 hours in the dark, Any recommendations regarding lights. Have looked into 7" Hella upgraded lamps, but what about additional lights up front. And is it really possible to get 2 hours on 10 gallons of fuel if shifting at 6k rather than 6700??

Bill-

[Glenn]

Have another enduro coming up in October - 8 hours this time with 3 drivers. Did pretty well in April during the 4 hour taking 2nd in a 5 car class. Car performed perfectly. This upcoming 8 hours will consist of about 3 hours in the dark, Any recommendations regarding lights. Have looked into 7" Hella upgraded lamps, but what about additional lights up front. And is it really possible to get 2 hours on 10 gallons of fuel if shifting at 6k rather than 6700??

Bill-

Run a test day on a similar track and do the math! Put in X gallons and try shifting at different points. and plot your daya, you will quickly see how well you can do/not do given a specific RPM.

[Danny Steyn]

Try not to over think this. Figure out a plan, write it down. When the green flag flys, crumple up the paper and throw it over your sholder for good luck!!!! Cuz that is all that piece of paper is good for.
Dave

Or use Mike Tysons alleged quote ........ " Every fighter has a plan, until they get hit in the face"