2013 Mid-Ohio Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge

[greenaero]

It was another great event with lots of enthusiastic participants. We rode the beautiful backroads between Bellville and Pinkerington and stopped at the AMA Museum to look at the fabulous exhibits. We got hit by a short rainstorm and just finished the ride as a torrential downpour started.

Here are the unofficial results:
1. Fred Hayes-162.7 mpg
2. John Hickey- 144.5 mpg
3. Alan Smith- 132.5 mpg
4. Vic Valdes- 130.7 mpg
5. Dale Van De Ven 112.8 mpg ( 1st Alternative Fuel)
6. Craig Vetter 80.6 mpg
7. Scott Endler 74.7 mpg
8. J. Dennis 71.9 mpg
9. J. Burr 66.2 mpg
10. D. Siegel 53.3 mpg
11. T. Wildman 43.87 mpg
12. G. Hale 39.6 mpg
13. B. Ischachen 35.8 mpg
14. Dr. Richard Goff 75 miles ( 1st Electric )

Congratulations to Fred, Dale and Dr. Goff and to all the competitiors for another great performance. Fred's 162.7 mpg run is the best ever for a Vetter Challenge.

Some observations: Fred Hayes and his diesel bikes continue to dominate the Vetter Challenges. He works very hard to constantly improvement and it shows.

John Hickey and his HyperRocket 250ccNinja- powered 3-wheeler was a pleasant suprise; it looked and performed great. It's awesome to see what the new Hyper Rocket can do!

Ninja 250s were dominant for the gasoline-powered motorcyles capturing 2nd,3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th places.

The electric bikes are getting much more competitive; they are going farther and will soon be able to complete the courses and contend for the overall win. Terry Hershner planned to attend but suffered a mechanical failures in colorado as he rode to Mid-Ohio.

Check Craig's website for pictures and more detailed information when he makes his latest post.

[greenaero]

And I got to meet Chone ( Chris ) in person.

I missed out on seeing his fuel-injected pre-gen but it was great to show him Alan's and my streamliner and to talk about bikes and riding. Always a treat to make new friends!

[rojoracing53]

[Panda]

Congrats on 4th. 130mpg is amazing.

[CycleCam303]

I wonder how you all would do turning a 300 into a stream liner? Those are significantly more fuel efficient than the new gens.

[greenaero]

Thanks!

Cam, we got to run with a Ninja 300 in the 2012 Las Vegas to Barstow Vetter Challenge and it did not impress the serious contenders; it had a 53mpg run versus Alan's 96 mpg performance. Granted it was not ridden by an elite hypermiler but it was ridden at basically the same pace as the other competitors. I would love to test a 300 myself to see what it would do compared to my pregen 250.

[choneofakind]

Everyone should get a chance to chat with Vic and the streamliner crew! It was pretty neat, especially because I'm a relatively new rider, and they've been riding for ages. Totally different approach to riding.

Also, streamliners are pretty cool, in the same way that a a Prius is cool; nerdy cool. We saw a handful of people drive by and just stare with a kind of confused look on their faces Pictures don't do these bikes justice, you have to see them in person.




Vic, sorry I decided not to ride down, it was warm (wimpy rider here) and highways are not my favorite thing ever on the ninjette.

[Lychee]

It sounds like you had great fun, but I am pretty sure that 136 was your best MPG last year.

[greenaero]

Jon, I had a blast, it was a great time at the Vintage days as well as the Vetter Challenge. 136 MPG is still my personal best tankfill but I did that on a solo ride between Carmel and Livermore CA. The 130.7mpg is my best in competition where is usually harder to achieve optimal fuel economy.

[greenaero]

Chris, The rain was pretty brutal at times too. Thanks for taking the time to meet up with us, we really enjoyed meeting you and doing some benchracing.