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3rd annual ReFuel: Sun 6/26/11 @ Laguna Seca

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Info from last year's here.

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So I've signed up for this. How does it work? Do they have 14-50's or HPC's available for us to charge? Also, anyone know of a hotel in the area that has charging available or is there time to drive down from the Bay Area and charge the day of the event?
 
In previous years they have provided a whole bunch of NEMA 14-50 sockets that various EVs can use.
I didn't see any Tesla or J1772 so people probably need to bring UMCs and/or MC240s.
 
So I've signed up for this. How does it work? Do they have 14-50's or HPC's available for us to charge? Also, anyone know of a hotel in the area that has charging available or is there time to drive down from the Bay Area and charge the day of the event?

The past two years they have set up an octopus of NEMA 14-50 sockets in the paddock. The day is organized as four or five sessions on the track, each 15-20 minutes long (five laps or so). Between sessions the gas cars get the track while the EVs recharge. There is an introductory drivers meeting at 9AM before the first session, and additional meetings between sessions for updates and questions. Thus, there isn't really time to drive down on the morning of the event and charge. I don't know of any hotels that have charging available, but there is charging in Salinas if you drive down that way. Also, last year the paddock was open for charging on Saturday afternoon.

Copying here the info provided by Dave Lach of SpeedVentures last year. NOTE! This may not be completely accurate for this year!

The following list of items has been adapted for REFUEL:

1). To drive or ride on track, you must be wearing a HELMET, Snell-
rated, 2000 or later. Motorcycle helmets (Snell-M 2000 or later) are
acceptable. Open-faced helmets are acceptable. We have a limited
supply of helmets available for rental ($30/day). If you have not
already wrote in requesting one of these, you should make an effort
at this time to track down a helmet as we may not have enough.
Participants riding motorcycles obviously need helmets also in
addition to full leathers.

2). The SOUND LIMIT for this track is 92db and it is strictly
enforced by the track. If your electric car or motorcycle is louder
than 92db, we might need to verify that it is, in fact, an electric
car or motorcycle.

3). Laguna Seca Raceway is LOCATED at 1021 Monterey-Salinas Highway,
Salinas CA 93908.

4). Please arrive on time to the track on Sunday morning. There is a
MANDATORY drivers meeting you must attend in order to be allowed on
track for your sessions. REFUEL check-in will take place at 8:am and
the drivers meeting will start at 9:am

5). We encourage all REFUEL participants to arrive on Saturday
afternoon for Sunday's event if possible. Electrical hookups will be
installed and available at that time so if you're driving in from out
of the area, staying in Monterey or Salinas means you can start your
day with a full charge.

6). There will be a section of the paddock set aside for REFUEL
pitting. Please pit in that area (the electrical hookups will be in
that area)

7). CAMPING is not allowed in the paddock at this event, although
you may leave your cars, trailers, and equipment in the paddock
overnight. The County of Monterey handles campsites on the hill
above the track. Contact them to reserve.

8). The SCHEDULE for the event is in the works and will be available
the morning of the event but we're leaving some time between sessions
for charging and the SportElectric Time Trial will take place in the
second-to-the-last session of the day so you can compete if you want
and still have time to add some charge before driving home.

9). POWER: As we did last year, we're contracting with an
electrician to provide grid power in the paddock and pits. Donations
to help offset this cost will be most appreciated :). NEMA RV-style
50-amp hookups will be provided.

10). FOOD & WATER: The snack bar will be open for this event. A
water dispenser will also be provided. Please bring your own bottle
to refill at the track.

11). You must have car NUMBERS, preferably at least 8" tall for
cars, located on both sides AND the back of your vehicle. This is
mandatory. Motorcycles must have as big a number as possible on both
sides. You can make up a 2-digit number (no 1's and only one 7
allowed in the number) and use tape if you don't have decals. If you
choose to run magnetic numbers, be sure to apply them to a clean
surface and tape down the leading edge.

12). TOW HOOKS are required for cars. If you do not have a tow hook
on the front of your car, please have one installed or figure out a
tow point (at the front) that we can use to pull you off track. It
is your responsibility to make sure that use of the tow hook or tow
point will not damage your car. Speed Ventures is not responsible
for damage done to your car due to towing. We will be very strict
about tow points at this event because of the widespread gravel traps
at Laguna. (CARS ONLY)

13). A completed TECH FORM is required. Be sure to print one out,
fill it out before the event, and bring it with you to registration.
If there are elements that do not apply to your electric car or
motorcycle, you can indicate "n.a." for not applicable. The form can
be downloaded here: http://www.speedventures.com/events/tech.pdf

14). There is also a track event checklist available if you're not
sure what you should bring: Speed Ventures - Track Events

trackchecklist.doc

As always, the FAQ should answer the most commonly-asked questions:
Speed Ventures - Frequently Asked Questions
 
My Nissan Leaf Forum View topic - ReFuel 2011 at Laguna Seca in the Leaf (w/ pics)
...The Leaf drivetrain and battery BMS are solid. To my surprise almost every other EV out there (production or otherwise) had heat management issues after 2-5 laps. Tesla's were hitting power cut by lap 4-5. Most of the other kit cars could do one or two laps due to heat or range issues. Conversely, the Leaf was pulling strong all day and the battery temp gauge didn't move over 6 bars. Energy efficiency on the track was a stellar 1.2-1.3 m/kWh. Ha!...

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Nice vid. Wow, embarrassing to be driving a Porsche or Mini and get passed by a Leaf. Quite liberal passing rules it looks like - the one other car day I've done you had to be waved past by the car in front. I'll make it next year - had some family stuff come up at the last minute so I couldn't make it.