C5ALIVE Forum

C5Alive Forum - Archive Section => Meetings & Events => Complete Archive => 2010 => Topic started by: Karl on 19, February, 2010 - 14:49:34

Title: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 19, February, 2010 - 14:49:34
No, not dressed in some dodgy "weekend attire"  :o, we're taking "Challenger" to the alternative energy drag racing event at Santa Pod on 23rd April  ;D. Found the details on the BVS website ;
http://www.batteryvehiclesociety.org.uk/forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=2480

Link to the event details;
http://www.aeracing.org/index.html


I've contacted the organisers and they are more than happy for us to take part  8)

If you can make it, why not come along and cheer us on ! I reckon it should be a really interesting event with some amazing machinery taking part.

   
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 19, February, 2010 - 15:07:50
Might come and watch challenger 'kick butt' as it's on my doorstep.
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: PLOD11 on 19, February, 2010 - 15:14:51
I can borrow a a laser speed gun if you need it to check the speed ?

John
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 19, February, 2010 - 15:18:42
Cheers guys - it would be fab to have some company. ElectricDave is coming along, he hasn't gobbled as many pies as me so I've volunteered him to do the speed runs....no point giving away any unnecessary advantage to the competition  ;D

Although the organisor will be forwarding me some more details later, their website already has a lot of info about the day  :)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: techytype on 19, February, 2010 - 22:54:21
I can borrow a a laser speed gun if you need it to check the speed ?

John

you might be better of with an egg timer  ;D

i'd love to make it if i can, will they allow us to 'bomb about' in our C5's? we already know the public's generic interest level in our wacky racers, and would add to everyone's day

regs
alan
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 20, February, 2010 - 14:22:22
Should anyone else want to bring their c5 along it looks as though we'd be made welcome , this is from Rick's email to me ;


....If any other C5 owners want to join you, just tell them to drop me a line......


Yours sincerely,

Rick Cuthbert
Santa Pod Raceway
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: minidaz on 20, February, 2010 - 17:00:29
That sounds like a great event, but unfortunatly, with it being a Friday, i wont be able to come along.

Bet they'll be some very interesting vehicles there  :)

Daz
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: techytype on 20, February, 2010 - 19:46:06
Should anyone else want to bring their c5 along it looks as though we'd be made welcome , this is from Rick's email to me ;


....If any other C5 owners want to join you, just tell them to drop me a line......


Yours sincerely,

Rick Cuthbert
Santa Pod Raceway


put me down for this one please Karl, obviously being self employed might mean i cancel out at short notice, but otherwise i might race you in' Behemoth' down the 1/4 mile lol!

we can do a Maccy D's drive through after ;)

regs
alan
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 20, February, 2010 - 21:16:31
put me down for this one please Karl,
regs
alan

...if you want to go on the track you need to register via the link at the top of the page. Entry is free for those taking part, but not for the spectators.
http://www.aeracing.org/tickets.php

All the details are on the AER site.
http://www.aeracing.org/contact.php

Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 28, February, 2010 - 19:50:52
"Team C5alive" has been included on the 2010 Entry list (scroll down);
http://www.aeracing.org/entry2010.php

...how cool is that !  ;D

Mind you, some of the competition looks a bit serious  :o

..might have to put electricDave on a strict training regime if he's to get the better of that Tesla  :D :P
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 19, April, 2010 - 16:56:09
This event is very close now, I've received the "joining instructions" for team C5alive.

In order to gain access to the track we have to produce a driving licence (first for a Sinclair c5 owner) and will also need to wear a crash helmet when doing the speed runs...

Motorsport rules I guess...bit of a novelty in a C5  ;D 
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 19, April, 2010 - 18:11:07
Looking forward to it should be a good day. (Matt is gutted he will be at school !)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: minidaz on 23, April, 2010 - 14:16:41
Hope you all had a great day at the Pod. Looks like you had nice weather for it  8)

Looking forward to seeing lots of pics of both Challenger and the new toy, although i don't really like your chances against the Tesla  :D :D

Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 23, April, 2010 - 20:38:30
Wow - great fun at Santa Pod today, Thanks as always to Karl for arranging this one. Nice to see Challanger clocking 33 mph.Here's a few photo's :
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/radiomarty/DSCF1491.jpg)
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/radiomarty/DSCF1492.jpg)
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/radiomarty/DSCF1494.jpg)
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/radiomarty/DSCF1495.jpg)
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/radiomarty/DSCF1496.jpg)
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/radiomarty/DSCF1503.jpg)
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/radiomarty/DSCF1504.jpg)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 23, April, 2010 - 20:45:49
And some vids :
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/radiomarty/th_Video0024.jpg) (http://s920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/radiomarty/?action=view&current=Video0024.flv)
(http://i920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/radiomarty/th_Video0026.jpg) (http://s920.photobucket.com/albums/ad49/radiomarty/?action=view&current=Video0026.flv)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 24, April, 2010 - 10:15:13
What an excellent day out  8) We got to see a rocket car do 277mph , the Tesla got beaten down the track by an electric VW Beetle and Voodoo was mercilessly slaughtered by a speed crazed RadioMarty  :o...a meeting full of excitement and drama  ;D

Sadly the c-5000 didn't get to play. Although it is up & running, electricDave had a few safety concerns that we simply didn't have the time to deal with. As neither of us wanted to see it fail because of faults we knew about, we decided to take Challenger and Voodoo ,which provided a good opportunity to give the new metal gearbox a proper testing  :P.

Fastest C5 of the day was Challenger (no surprise there) , piloted by RadioMarty, managing 33mph while Voodoo managed 22mph piloted by Ray. Sadly the lights timed out before recording a speed for the two 12v standard C5's (Goldfinger and one of Ray's).

We experimented with trying to up Challenger to 36v but, despite a valiant and determined effort by electricDave, we couldn't get "challenger" to run properly at 36v so we put it back to 24v and carried on with some more fun on the track. All four of us has a couple of track runs each, so we had our moneys worth  :D

The A.E.R event itself was a huge amount of fun and a big thankyou must be said to the organiser for putting it all together. The Santa Pod crew were a great laugh and you can imagine the banter as the c5's lined up for their speed runs  :D.

This was our first visit to such an event and judging by the amount of fun we had I reckon we will be making a return next year , and hopefully return with some faster machinery.

As for Voodoo, it has suffered some sort of motor failure which will be investigated today. RadioMarty tasted the highs and lows of motorsport by having the fastest C5 time of the day and the dubious honour of piloting Voodoo when it died on the track. He was quite worried about Voodoo, but I'm a firm believer in the motorsport philosophy of "testing to destruction" in that if you don't break it, you're not trying hard enough  ;D  . Besides,it will give us the chance to find out what went wrong and correct it,  plus we've found a new job for Radiomarty - C5alive's official motorsport test rider  8).

Some pictures to follow;

 

 
 
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 24, April, 2010 - 10:20:48
My Santa Pod piccies;

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod001.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod003.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod005.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod008.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod009.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod011.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod012.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod014.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod015.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod017.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod018.jpg)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 24, April, 2010 - 10:28:16
..a few more piccies;

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod027.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod029.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod030.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod031.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod034.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod035.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod037.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod038.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod042.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod044.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod046.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod047.jpg)

(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i257/1stbooboo/santapod048.jpg)

The biggest thankyou has been saved 'til last, to Mrs RadioMarty - you are an absolute star for taking such good care of us (although I'm beginning to think feeding us so well was part of Mr RadioMarty's game plan to get the fastest time  ;D).

Team C5alive had a great day out  8)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 24, April, 2010 - 16:35:35
Wouldn't say I enjoyed but.... went back today with Matt (just got home) to see the Jet car and the electric bug. The place was mobbed with people highly recommended for a fun day out.

Karl -Gutted you worked out my plan to get the fastest time...........
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 24, April, 2010 - 17:13:05
Glad you enjoyed it as much as me and electricDave.

Did the tickets work out ok ?

As for Voodoo, the new metal gearbox is fine - as are all the bearings, the armature etc.

All that happened was the magnets fell off the motor casing - something that we've seen happen to standard 12v C5's  ::).

I have some spare motor casings so I'll have Voodoo back up and running at zero cost with an easy repair.

When you consider we are running 25year old vehicles at much higher speeds than they were initially intended for, I think we can safely say that Sinclair got it about right  8)  All the brakes,axles,steering etc all coped well on the day - so everyone should have confidence in their 12v c5's  :)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 24, April, 2010 - 17:32:19
So glad Voodoo is ok and the new gearbox stood up well to the pressure of the track - had a feeling from the smell it was brushes or magnets.I'll never forget that clap from the crowd as I finally pedalled past the finish line - thanks to Ray for the tow back.

Managed to get a pass out on the way home yesterday which got us in today which was great - many thanks mate for that- bring on next year - more volts....more speed........more suntan lotion - I look like a Swan Vesta.
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 24, April, 2010 - 18:02:47
I think the most pleasant surprise of the day is the reliability of Challenger, it has done the Test Hill at Brooklands, the Speed Trial at Mercedes Benz World, the track session at Brooklands and now several runs at Santa Pod with no drama - took it all in its stride   8)

ElectricDave certainly knows his stuff  :)

And no, Challenger is not up for sale  ;D
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 24, April, 2010 - 18:14:12
Challenger really is a very good vehicle as yesterday proved - Dave is a very clever chap but very modest with it - I know the C5 grin very well but when you pilot Challenger it turns into a full blown laugh  8) 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 25, April, 2010 - 08:17:42
Worked out some times for Ray's C5 and Goldfinger from the print out at 330ft as follows :

Ray's C5 -12.24 mph
Goldfinger -13.2 mph

Not bad for a standing start !!!
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 25, April, 2010 - 09:13:37
Worked out some times for Ray's C5 and Goldfinger from the print out at 330ft as follows :

Ray's C5 -12.24 mph
Goldfinger -13.2 mph

Not bad for a standing start !!!

Those are good times in that 25 years after construction they are still performing very close to their designed speed .

It also shows the 24v kit is giving a respectable boost in power ,with Voodoo coming in at 22mph.

Although our main aim in attending AER was purely to have some fun and promote the c5's 25th anniversary, we also learnt quite a lot.

Hopefully the event will be held again next year and we can make a return visit - even better prepared. I saw electricDave yesterday and he is already working on some alterations for both Challenger and the  c-5000  :o , looks like we've caught the AER bug really bad  ;D
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: c515mph on 25, April, 2010 - 12:59:19
Thanks all for a great day at Santa Pod.
The first run I had in my standard unmodified c5 nearly killed me.Trying to beat Marty off the line with some vigorous pedalling,at my age,was a bit much.But driving Challenger down the track at 30mph,made up for that by far.It felt like I was doing about 60  :D.
Thanks all.
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 25, April, 2010 - 13:05:58
.....But driving Challenger down the track at 30mph,made up for that by far.It felt like I was doing about 60  :D.
Thanks all.

You are most welcome mate, glad you enjoyed it - and thanks for coming along  8)

We all seem to be up for a return trip, maybe a few more c5's will join us next time  ;)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 25, April, 2010 - 13:52:40
Glad you enjoyed it Ray - mate I was in a bad way after that first race too !Hence the sneaking Goldfinger in to the boot and 'borrowing' challanger .Great to see you there.
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Retro Andy on 25, April, 2010 - 20:36:16
What and who's is the C5 with the alloy wheels is ?

Retro Andy
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 25, April, 2010 - 21:37:08
What and who's is the C5 with the alloy wheels is ?

Retro Andy

That c5 belonged to these guys;


Team: Richard Collins
Driver: Richard Pallister
   

Electric BMX, Electric Go Kart, Electric Scooter and Electric C5


They are listed on the AER team list (click on the link page one of this topic). Sadly I didn't get much chance to chat, they were really busy trying to get their go-kart running in time for the event. They didn't enter their c5 in the end which is a shame as I reckon it would have been quite quick - it had a larger motor and disc brakes front and rear, so had some real potential.
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 26, April, 2010 - 09:18:52
I've had a reply from Chris,who organised the AER event;

Hi Karl,

Many thanks for your kind words and of course I’ll pass your thanks on to the other members of the team.  We had a fantastic day and I’m pleased all from team C5alive enjoyed it.

We hope to expand the event for next year and build upon this great initiative, possibly making it a standalone event.  We’ll see you and hopefully more C5’s next year!

Many thanks,
Chris


So it looks like we will be making a return to Santa Pod next year, which gives us time to get something special sorted  8)

Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 26, April, 2010 - 15:49:12
Latest update from A.E.R. ;

To all,

The third running of Alternative Energy Racing on Friday proved to be a great success, not only was the sun shining beautifully all day but we also had our biggest entry yet.  With 29 entries registered, and more turning up on the day, it was fantastic to see such a range of diverse machinery.

I must say a huge thank you to all the entries, obviously the event wouldn’t go ahead without you; and the efforts you have made to develop your vehicles and bring them to Santa Pod is what makes it all happen. 

If you were unable to stay to the end the eventual winners of each class were:

Best Zero Emissions:  Sam Young, Blackcurrent Electric Beetle, Best Time: 11.49 seconds at 112.49 mph
Best Alternative Fuel:  Andy Gilbert, 1987 Suzuki Turbo Slingshot on E85 ethanol, Best Time: 9.318 seconds at 155 mph

A full report will be posted on the AE Racing website later today, including a full listing of all the results.

For 2011 we will be aiming to expand and improve AE Racing and your support would again be most appreciated.  If you have any ideas of ways to enhance the event please free feel to email me.  In the meantime Santa Pod hold many other events throughout the year so please visit the main website www.santapod.com if you wish to join us again before next year.

Kind regards,
Rick Cuthbert & Chris Dredge
AE Racing Event Team
Santa Pod Raceway
01234 782828
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 27, April, 2010 - 08:00:15
We got a mention ! and a photo :
http://www.aeracing.org/2010report.php
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 01, May, 2010 - 20:15:51
Getting some ideas for pimping Goldfinger for next year - Matt came across this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTdbjXOa-BU&feature=related
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Retro Andy on 02, May, 2010 - 08:02:38
Wow, he really know's how to handle that, I would love my C5 to go that quick off the line, just think of the looks you would get  :D

Retro Andy
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: iDENTITi on 02, May, 2010 - 13:26:15
The motor is from these guys.. http://www.ddmotorsystems.com/ElectricGoKarts.php
Tell them what you want and they seem to supply a suitible motor..  Think I might be using them for my wee project!
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 02, May, 2010 - 18:19:25
... I would love my C5 to go that quick off the line,
Retro Andy

Just hand it over to electricDave  ;D I'm sure it is possible, just that it wouldn't come back road legal or anywhere close to original  :D

I'm hoping that this Santa Pod topic will encourage a few more c5 based entries to the 2011 AER event. 
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Retro Andy on 03, May, 2010 - 10:55:59
I think a slight brakes upgrade would be needed  ;D

Retro Andy
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 03, May, 2010 - 14:46:19
We got a mention ! and a photo :
http://www.aeracing.org/2010report.php

Marty -did you notice the updated photos on the 2010 team list ? Lovely piccie of you and "goldfinger" on the track !
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 03, May, 2010 - 15:58:54

Marty -did you notice the updated photos on the 2010 team list ? Lovely piccie of you and "goldfinger" on the track !
[/quote]

No I hadn't spotted it thanks for that made Matt's day (love the driver names mix up !!!!)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 04, May, 2010 - 12:47:51
Stickers arrived today - look really good - thanks Karl
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 04, May, 2010 - 17:13:25
You're most welcome mate, hopefully Ray has got his as well  :)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: c515mph on 05, May, 2010 - 02:54:35
Yep got mine to,thanks Karl.
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: radiomarty on 06, May, 2010 - 09:56:39
Stumbled on this - think someone is selling photo's of our C5 'S !!!!

http://it.dreamstime.com/fotografie-stock-libere-da-diritti-sinclair-c5-image14022798
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 06, May, 2010 - 22:53:46
Stumbled on this - think someone is selling photo's of our C5 'S !!!!

http://it.dreamstime.com/fotografie-stock-libere-da-diritti-sinclair-c5-image14022798

..the paparazzi get everywhere mate , the cost of fame  ;D
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: PLOD11 on 07, May, 2010 - 00:42:00
Blimey .....  ::)

If i order one would you sign it for me  ;D ..........

Fame  8)
Title: Re: We're going Drag Racing at Santa Pod 23rd April 2010 !!
Post by: Karl on 07, May, 2010 - 09:41:26
Blimey .....  ::)

If i order one would you sign it for me  ;D ..........

Fame  8)

....anything for you mate, might even give you a discount  :P :-*