Charles, <Is that Bicentennial Park track layout still the same as in > that ariel photo that Allan gave, or has it been torn up or deteriorated > from neglect with multiple potholes, etc. since last used?
The track sections in the park that I have looked at, are in good shape. The photo shoot for New Times last month was done on the north section of the track. http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/photoGallery/index.php?id=469131&p=1 In this picture, we have our front right wheel up on the large yellow berm that marks the apex of the corner. When we want a 'racy' picture, this is the closest and easiest spot to get to. Normally, we set up the other direction, zoom out, catching the track and the ocean background. There were a couple of junky trucks and cane pole fisherman that day that would have spoiled the effect. <... Speaking of > which, by the way, when was it last used for racing? There was a downtown street race in Bayfront Park in 2002 and 2003 that did not use the Bicentennial section. I think the last time they used this section was 1995. > I get so ambitious and manic just looking at that ariel photo of > Bicentennial Park that it conjures up images in my mind of not just an EV > Autocross but also of a track race sort of thing around that double-S/oval > combo, although maybe just a "time trial" sort of thing where only one car > races around the track at a time. Unfortunately, the way the track is laid out requires the use of Biscayne Blvd to complete the circuit. Google Earth shows the area well. BTW For EV trip planning, Google Earth is great. It lets the EVers see and plan each trip. It allows marking and saving places, so you can quickly figure out how many miles the trip will be. Making a 'EV Charger Station' layer that we could make available to FLEAA members should be easy. Google Earth is a free downloadable program available at http://earth.google.com/. <I have some > high-level connections to the Superintendant of Bayfront Park that I could > try to pull, if there is ever any interest in us having at least an EV > Autocross at Bicentennial Park. And with Steven Cayre soon to take > delivery > of his Tesla in Miami, ... wow! ... what kind of drawing power would that > be?!?! I do think it would be a great venue. It might work as a autocross. Start at the north end where the track is parallel to the water. Run the track section south (which is backwards to the way it was used). Put the finish line in the middle of the big double curve leaving slow down room. This set up means lots of run-off room and never a point where a car might go into the water. We could stage the all the cars at the north end and then have them wait in the big parking lot for all runs to be complete. When everyone is done, all drive back to the north end to stage for another run. Or, after their run, the drivers take Biscayne Blvd and the exit for 395 East at legal speeds to rejoin the quay for another run. The challenges would be a wireless connection for the start/ finish timer. At least three walky-talkies equipped observers to make sure the track is clear (start , finish, and on the hill in the middle). And insurance/permission. It is a funny curvy course. I would guess the Electric Imp would hit 80-90 MPH. Cliff Rassweiler Driver ProEV's Kokam Battery powered Electric Imp www.ProEV.com _______________________________________________ Florida EAA mailing list [email protected] http://www.floridaeaa.org
