Between each practice session...
Between each practice session Danny plugged his laptop into the car and downloaded the fuel flow data. Eventually, we plan to have a setup where we can download the data in real time, rather than having to wait for a pit stop, but those systems are a bit more costly to gather the same data.
Now, Florida in July is quite a bit hotter and definitely more humid than Wisconsin in October. However, we didn't touch the engine once between these two events. That's right, no tuning necessary. And don't forget we ran E85 and race fuel through the engine during the test but are now running E85 exclusively in the race. Yet we didn't have to change anything on the motor, it's completely self-calibrating. Try that with a carburetor. While other teams were changing jets, we were drinking sodas and eating pistachio nuts.
This technology makes it easier, more economical, and truthfully more fun to race. I believe that using EFI technology in short track racing will give racers more options at a lower cost and really provide an opportunity to grow our sport. I'm not the only one who thinks so either, many of the competitors we raced against this weekend were very interested in not only the LS3 engine in our car but the body as well. I see the future of our sport being not so far removed from the showrooms of the car dealers.
Editor's Note
Midwestern hospitality allowed Circle Track to achieve our goal of proving the worth of this technology. If it weren't for Dennis Huth at ASA and Greg McCarns (La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway), we never would have been able to race this car at such a high profile event as Oktoberfest. We are eternally grateful for their hospitality and support of Project G.R.E.E.N.
Although the checkered flag has fallen on Project G.R.E.E.N.'s first race, it's not the end for the bright red Camaro. On the contrary, it's just the beginning. The team is taking the car back to Florida for further testing and development work that will lead short track racing right into the 21st century and beyond. The car is slated to be featured at the Performance Racing Industry trade show in Orlando, Florida, from December 9-11, 2010. But who knows, it may just make another track appearance before then.
There was no shortage of cars...
There was no shortage of cars trying to make the field for the Trickle 99-62 of them in all.
Gene Coleman, owner of Coleman...
Gene Coleman, owner of Coleman Racing Products and a self-described "old school racer," examines Project G.R.E.E.N.'s EFI motor. In the span of one race, Gene has become an EFI convert. Ask him and he'll tell you.
We had a brake problem during...
We had a brake problem during the race that caused us to loss pedal during the first segment.
Project G.R.E.E.N. driver...
Project G.R.E.E.N. driver Dalton Zehr dives under Brian Johnson Jr. to make a pass exiting Turn 4, a scene he'd repeat numerous times thanks to the broad torque curve of our EFI motor. Photo by Doug Hornickle
While some people may say...
While some people may say EFI gives an unfair advantage, we believe that it's really our good friend Evel Kneivel. Evel, kept a watchful, if not bobbling, eye on Dalton during the whole race. And with the exception of one minor excursion out the window during practice, the little guy stayed put. Fortunately a track official fetched the daredevil off the frontstretch and gave him back to us. We zip tied his butt to a rollbar for the race just in case the motorcycle legend decided to pull some more shenanigans.