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Post by prancingdawg on Apr 22, 2006 11:00:31 GMT -5
With fuel prices as they are, I'm engaged in more serious thought- more than ever- about our hobby, boyz n gurlz. Those on fixed incomes are the ones who suffer first and most when fuel is pinched and price goes up. Around these parts, unlike the big cities, the population is totally constrained to our highways as the means to getting to necessary goods and services. We're not talking trips to Carowinds or Chucky Cheezus here. Just finished reading a book written by a retired geologist who worked for big oil before. He was onea the ones whose job it was to search for new oil under the earth and elsewhere. Book I'm referring to is The Empty Tank by Jeremy Leggett. In it, Leggett refers to peak oil- the notion that crude is a finite commodity and that there is a point of diminishing supply where half of all the commodity is used up and the downhill side of exploration and production cannot be replaced. A bell shaped curve represents the long and short of it so to speak. Countries relying on crude will endeavor to extend the tail of the curve by using alternative sources such as sand crude * and mixing gas and ethanol, but prices will continue to rise further in the process. Some of these alternatives- like sand crude production- affect our environment by increasing co2 greenhouse emissions and a secondary concern- should be primary, IMO- is world climate change on an unacceptable scale. (sand crude is produced by actually injecting steam into the ground to melt the oil trapped in the soil and allow extraction. The method for producing the steam? Coal fired plants) I'm a social activist only to the extent that I help fight the byproducts of social problems in our society through child protective services and raising funds and consciousness for cancer research. But now I'm finding myself thinking about one of the key means of rational detachment I have available to me in my free time- the ability to drive an hour or so away from home to spend the day performing a variety of tasks in fellowship and support with others revolving around two to three minutes of seat time in competition. Is there a moral dilemma in the making? Participation in racing and racing-derived activities have been the sport of kings and the higher social strata of society since ancient times. Those of lesser rank have with a few exceptions been relegated to being spectators. One of the most enticing aspects of autocross is the ability to participate and compete- at least at an entry level- in a motorsport which requires the least amount of monetary outlay of perhaps any other motorsport out there. I am grateful for this feature, as many of you are as well. Autocross is purely another form of entertainment. Given all the ways available for spending our entertainment dollar- try and list them sometime, if you want to get an astonishing reality check- autocross is a viable and excellent opportunity to participate in an enterprise which networks us with other folk who have diverse and similar interests, from all walks of life, in a sport that has a huge social component beyond the actual sport itself. In fact, more time and energy is actually focused on the social elements and organization necessary to bring about an event than is actually consumed in "competition" itself! In this respect, our hobby is very similar to musical entertainment- any band will travel and spend hours lugging euipment around and setting up and staying in motels and the like- for a three hour gig. Where is this discussion leading? Only to this point. We need to examine ourselves and the ways we relate to this energy situation and engage in some intelligent activities around this whole notion of peak oil and the social problems we have created by our reliance on petrochemicals, and how we will affect change for the better. We each have a personal responsibility to educate ourselves and some of us may need to do some things differently in order to make things better for each other. Like read a book. And visit a website such as www.theoildrum.com . Discuss:  Pdawg |
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Post by ROADBOY on Apr 22, 2006 18:13:45 GMT -5
Hmm, my eyes are open and the wheels are turning...
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Post by C4Shane on Apr 22, 2006 21:14:19 GMT -5
I help utilities fix their nuclear plants so there will be more fossil fuel for the masses!!!! LOL - But seriously (since you said this is serious), autocross is really a rather fuel efficient way to spend a weekend. You may drive an hour or so to an event and then run a few minutes at full throttle. But compare that to many other things you may do for fun on a nice weekend. Many of them would involve driving similar distances, or involve the use of power equipment (such as a boat or jetski). In my case, AX has provided a rare opportunity to spend time with my son at something we both enjoy. It has also allowed me to get my family involved in a great sport, and at the NTI event I even got to be an instructor for my daughter's boyfriend. Great way to learn a lot about someone!
Autocross is a great sport and as far as motorsports are concerned it is fairly fuel efficient. The real problem we have in Charlotte is a lack of any quality public transportation. Just travel to a true major city in the US or go to Europe or Japan and you find out that cars aren't necessary to go to work for most folks. The public transportation systems in London or Tokyo for example, are clean - have good security and get you around pretty quickly. They are also affordable, so folks use them. Just my $0.02 worth.
Ok - now back to our regularly schedule program already in progress.................
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 24, 2006 21:14:37 GMT -5
Gee, Pdawg. I read the title of this thread - Serious Subject (Length) - and thought to myself...."now there's a subject I can get into."
We all know...."Length doesn't matter!"
Then I read your post, and realized how serious this subject really is.
Tonight at the CCR Social we discussed this subject at length. It is disturbing the utter waste of gasoline brought on by our sport, and we have decided to be a leader in rectifying this problem.
We will propose to the CCR Board of Directors, to Martin Bartlett, and to Steven Rankins that the remainder of the CCR Autocross Season be cancelled, and replaced with Pinewood Derby.
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 24, 2006 21:14:57 GMT -5
But on the way home I started thinking.....how ugly would a Miata carved out of wood be? "Totally unacceptable" I thought to myself.
Then I thought “wait a minute!!!! I’ve moved to STS2 so I wouldn’t have to take 2 cars to every event.” That cuts my fuel usage in half this year! I am hereby dedicating the CCR potion of my fuel savings to you so you can continue to autocross with a clean conscience. And furthermore, I’m dedicating the SCR portion to Tara so she can continue to drive from out of state to compete with us.
And Per Olof, who flew in from Sweden for the SCR event in Florence will fly home and back for the May event at Knights in a brand new fuel-efficient Seven Whatever Seven.
We all thank you for raising our consciousness.
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 24, 2006 21:15:29 GMT -5
In fact, SaabStory is at home right now busying himself as he tries to save the world from coal. What does it matter, if we wreck the economy of West Virginia? Heck, those people are always hungry anyway.
But I do understand perfectly what you are saying. Everyday I study copious amounts of data and info on the US & World Economies....and that's after spending the mornings analyzing financial market data...including oil, gas, and gasoline markets.
Relatively speaking, I'm really a small fish in a large pond. What could I possibly not know that a geologist who used to work for an oil company might know. I do wonder "why did he usedto work for an oil company, however. Any guesses?
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 24, 2006 21:16:32 GMT -5
But I digress… as for the JByrd-Pdawg Smack Down Challenge, assuming we still have enough gasoline to get to Knights at the last event of the year.
I propose you and me….
head-to-head….
HotWheels!!!
Complete with 2 loop-dy loops.
Shane has a Red 1/64 scale Fiesta ready for us.
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 24, 2006 21:16:56 GMT -5
Then….as we left the restaurant…..we apologized to the waitress for wasting gasoline by coming to eat at her restaurant tonight. Of course, she accepted our apologies. After all, it’s better if her children go to bed hungry. When they wake up in the morning crying…she can tell them “don’t worry, you can take it……you’re from West Virginia.”
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Post by C4Shane on Apr 24, 2006 21:48:40 GMT -5
Shoot..did you say Hot Wheels!!!! I thought you meant Big Wheels - ya know, the big tricycles.....not only fuel efficient, but they have good oversteer and once you get used to the braking points it should be no problem negotiating the 180s. Of course, I think our times on a typical CCR course will go up to about 3 minutes...but, man will we save some gas!!!
BTW - a Fiesta pinewood derby car isn't very pretty either ----- and did CaSSino tell me I can't use explosives??? or was that part of the merit badge we would get?
OK - Two Big Wheels from ToysRUs and we are good to go for the smackdown.......Remember Yellow tix for the Big Byrd and red/brown for the Dawg.....Getcha on board for the big event.
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Post by soloracer on Apr 24, 2006 21:55:12 GMT -5
Then….as we left the restaurant…..we apologized to the waitress for wasting gasoline by coming to eat at her restaurant tonight. Of course, she accepted our apologies. After all, it’s better if her children go to bed hungry. When they wake up in the morning crying…she can tell them “don’t worry, you can take it……you’re from West Virginia.” With all respect, I beg to differ. Our little sweetie waitress could not have been from West-By- God Virginia, I counted more than one tooth. But mayhaps the wife and I will ride our bicycle built for two to the next social. And to expand the challenge ..... I have a "killer" gt-40 Ford in 1/87th scale. May not be as fast but beware the PAX of a true H.O scale Ford. No jokes about ho's, please. Jeannie is threatening to to "kick-a$$ with her remote control 1/87 Cars. Even going as far as saying if she curtails shopping trips , the gas money will buy new Batteries for her Zip-zaps. James |
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Post by C4Shane on Apr 24, 2006 22:04:52 GMT -5
So, i guess all this soshial conshusness means we shouldn't get together a PDawg Bored Directors group for our 18 to +5 AX team.. BTW - Elyse (our hottie waitress) is in the 18 to +5 Category!!! Ooops, sorry, I digress - started thinking about wimmen. Back to carz - and saving gas.....CaSSino is doin his part by using LagoonyMyoughta's car which gets a billion percent better mileage than the SS Impala - why that probably saves us enough to let everyone else make a couple extra runs.
And, I am really sorry about West Virginee coal miners bein' outta a job....but, on the bright side it will lead to safer mines!
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Post by soloracer on Apr 24, 2006 22:12:06 GMT -5
Just had a vision!!!!
Our new initative Taking the racing world by storm. Shumacher driving the wheels off of his pinewood Ferrari.
Then it turned ugly. Mc laren cutting down ebony trees, then hoping balsa was the answer.
Whole rain forrests disapearing as the F-1 guys searched for the TRUE wood. "Cut that mango down and run torsional rigidity tests.
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Post by C4Shane on Apr 24, 2006 22:16:28 GMT -5
James is right....she did have too many teeth...I think LagooniM has a picshur in his instamatic of her!!! OK, so now we are down to HO scale! I will have to dig out my dreaded HO Mustang TransAm car....I wonder if I can find a Fiesta???
We are going to save so much gas here we won't even have to autocross at all!!!
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Post by soloracer on Apr 24, 2006 22:23:11 GMT -5
So, i guess all this soshial conshusness means we shouldn't get together a PDawg Bored Directors group for our 18 to +5 AX team.. BTW - Elyse (our hottie waitress) is in the 18 to +5 Category!!! Ooops, sorry, I digress - started thinking about wimmen. Back to carz - and saving gas.....CaSSino is doin his part by using LagoonyMyoughta's car which gets a billion percent better mileage than the SS Impala - why that probably saves us enough to let everyone else make a couple extra runs. And, I am really sorry about West Virginee coal miners bein' outta a job....but, on the bright side it will lead to safer mines! We will save so much gas by Cassino parking the detroitus Gargantuous, That i May as well post that the new yawk region has an event on the 14Th of May, everyone can go on the gas we save from that. James |
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 24, 2006 22:35:51 GMT -5
Then….as we left the restaurant…..we apologized to the waitress for wasting gasoline by coming to eat at her restaurant tonight. Of course, she accepted our apologies. After all, it’s better if her children go to bed hungry. When they wake up in the morning crying…she can tell them “don’t worry, you can take it……you’re from West Virginia.” With all respect, I beg to differ. Our little sweetie waitress could not have been from West-By- God Virginia, I counted more than one tooth. But mayhaps the wife and I will ride our bicycle built for two to the next social. And to expand the challenge ..... I have a "killer" gt-40 Ford in 1/87th scale. May not be as fast but beware the PAX of a true H.O scale Ford. No jokes about ho's, please. Jeannie is threatening to to "kick-a$$ with her remote control 1/87 Cars. Even going as far as saying if she curtails shopping trips , the gas money will buy new Batteries for her Zip-zaps. James WV - metaphorically speaking of course! ;D And of course, I hope that R/C car is using solar batteries!!!  Rember Soloracer.....WV spelled backward is VW! |
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 24, 2006 22:42:03 GMT -5
Shoot..did you say Hot Wheels!!!! I thought you meant Big Wheels [Cartman voice] Respect my Author-I-Tie! [/Cartman voice] |
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Post by ROADBOY on Apr 25, 2006 0:55:59 GMT -5
And you cant stop the jokers from joking.
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 25, 2006 7:33:30 GMT -5
And you cant stop the jokers from joking. Well....if you can't joke, then what fun can life be.  Without jokes, we get weighed down by things like oil. Did you know that 994 years from now on Dec 31, 2999, all the compters on the globe will "lock up" and the world will come to an end?  |
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 25, 2006 7:34:23 GMT -5
I read it in a book.
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 25, 2006 7:35:09 GMT -5
Written by a computer geek that used to work at Radio Shack.
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Post by nutdriverrighty on Apr 25, 2006 14:51:38 GMT -5
I'll let you guys in on a secret............since a (now dated) government report has named cow flatulence as a major contributor to greenhouse gasses, I'm developing a bovine fart powered car. Much like "bio-diesel", there is a great potiential for this "renewable resource". If you're running behind me (whether in an autocross or in club racing)...........watch out for my exhaust!! Scott "Right Nut" Franklin www.NutDriver.org |
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 25, 2006 16:00:42 GMT -5
Heck, Righty, I though Miatas were Bovine Fart Powered. ;D
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Post by ROADBOY on Apr 26, 2006 1:05:28 GMT -5
And you cant stop the jokers from joking. Well....if you can't joke, then what fun can life be. Without jokes, we get weighed down by things like oil. Did you know that 994 years from now on Dec 31, 2999, all the compters on the globe will "lock up" and the world will come to an end? O my goodness, really! No worries, I won't be alive then. Nethier will my kids or grandkids or great grand kids or great great grandkids or great great great grandkids...........  |
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Post by ROADBOY on Apr 26, 2006 1:09:43 GMT -5
I'll let you guys in on a secret............since a (now dated) government report has named cow flatulence as a major contributor to greenhouse gasses, I'm developing a bovine fart powered car. Much like "bio-diesel", there is a great potiential for this "renewable resource". If you're running behind me (whether in an autocross or in club racing)...........watch out for my exhaust!! Scott "Right Nut" Franklin www.NutDriver.org Got boost?  |
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Post by ROADBOY on Apr 26, 2006 1:15:18 GMT -5
 , so much for the serious subject. Sorry PDawg, couldn't help myself. |
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Post by C4Shane on Apr 27, 2006 9:40:45 GMT -5
Serious...Aw, com'n ....Let's be serious - this forum is never serious. That is what sets it apart from others where they argue over who did what and when, or about the SCCA rule book and other such garbage. This forum sets itself apart as a place for Autocrossers to waste a little of their personal time interacting with each other during the dry spells between events (O/C the way it is raining today, I would welcome a slight dry spell). Let's keep these gas saving ideas flowing !!! I am sure we have some good ones!
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m3
Full Member
Posts: 192
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Post by m3 on Apr 27, 2006 20:34:29 GMT -5
Gas saving ideas..............Hmmm, let's see..............
You could ban turbos!!!!!!!!!!
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m3
Full Member
Posts: 192
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Post by m3 on Apr 27, 2006 20:35:45 GMT -5
Oh, and Shane, congratulations on becoming God!!!!!! Hopefully people won't start killing other people in your name |
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Post by jbyrd on Apr 27, 2006 22:35:24 GMT -5
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Post by C4Shane on Apr 28, 2006 7:22:46 GMT -5
OMG?? That is funnyyyy....I had to really look hard for that....Ha! OK, so now that Bruce Almighty and I are in the same category do you suppose that I can command beautiful scantilly clad wimmenses to show up at events? Somehow I doubt it... |
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