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1 |
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first run is to learn the track and get a safe time. At the
end of the slalom (approaching the camera position), I am unable
to turn the car enough to make the corner, so I drive outside
of the cone. |
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This
is an 'Off' and my time does not count.
The
Electric Imp is designed to be a closed circuit road racing
car, not a street car or an autocross car. To make it the
best closed circuit road racing car it can be, we made some
design decisions that we would not have made if it was to
be the best street car or the best autocross car. We limited
the amount that the steering wheel can turn to just what we
need for closed circuit road racing tracks.
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improves the airflow beneath the car by keeping the floor wheel
openings as small as possible. The only down side on the streets
is that many of my U-turns have to be K-turns. This is the first
autocross track that has had a corner too tight for the Imp's
steering. |
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| Run
2 |
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first corner is fun and I drive it harder. I slow all the way
down for the slalom and set up as much as I can for the outside
cone. Even so, I have to nudge the cone out of the way. If it
moves all the way out of it's box, this is a 2 second penalty.
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Looking
at the video, it is probably OK.
I try and make up too much speed through another gate and am
less gentle with the cone that gets in my way.
That is a definite 2 second penalty. I think it through. The
slalom cones before the outside problem cone forces the car
to a slow speed. There it would be very difficult to get the
car to slide sideways under braking for extra rotation.
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The
only way I can picture completing the course is to plan on hitting
the problem cone, take the 2 second penalty and be 2 seconds
faster than those who slow for the cone.
I am ready to go. |
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| Run
3 |
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carry some good speed through the first turn. Through the slalom,
I am setting up to "Wack" the problem cone. Instead,
I knock over an earlier slalom cone and get inside the problem
cone. |
That was not too bad.The
power quits right before the finish line.
The sudden amp load on the partially charged battery pack is
putting the voltage below the minimum we have set as a safety
precaution.
The inverters are automatically cutting out. |
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quick interview and it is time for another run. |
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| Run
4 |
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I am ready to knock down a cone. With the pack voltage problem,
we may not get another chance. Faster through turn 1. Into the
slalom and I clear the problem cone by miles. |
The car cuts out again well short of the finish. Why
could I make the corner?
It turns out everybody was having problems with the 'problem'
cone. At least one other vehicle could not make the turn at
all. The cones in that corner keep getting knocked around.
Since the cone positions were not marked, they must not have
ended up in the exact spots they started in.
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are glad. Of course, now everybody starts setting faster times.
The two Porsches start trading fast times. |
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| Run
5 |
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With
the slalom opened up, the course is fun. The pavement goes up
and down for drainage and grip fluctuates. I manage a rather
lurid slide in turn 1.
I need to balance turning and braking better.
I also fail to use all the road by my nemesis cone.
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leave a good three feet and am late getting on the throttle. |
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| Run
6 |
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I
am quick through turn 1 and manage to use all the road through
the slalom.
I still need a hard brake to make the corner but it is fine.
The motor quits just before the line but my time is one of the
fastest. |
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| Run
7 |
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I
want to make sure my time will hold so I keep running.
I am smoother and quicker but when I floor the throttle out
of the last turn, the inverters cut out. |
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| Run
8 |
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Another
clean run.
I ease on the throttle out of the last corner and the inverters
power me across the line.
The time puts the Electric Imp over 1/2 second ahead of our
nearest competitor. |
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| Run
9 |
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I
brake a little earlier but less while the car is straight in
turn 1.
I then carry the speed and get on the throttle sooner. This
ties the last lap.
This is wonderful. The Imp is dancing through the corners.
I will keep running as long as they let me.
One more? OK, last one. |
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| Run
10 |
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Smooth
transition.
Balance the car.
Use the whole track.
Get on the throttle as early as possible. Squeeze the throttle
through the last turn.
24.7.
A second and a half faster than the nearest competitor. |
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