MotorCity Chapter of the Electric Auto Association
	Richard Sands - President Detroit MotorCity Chapter Electric Auto Association 13162 Fordline Southgate, Michigan 48195 Phone: 734-281-4087 Email: rsands01@comcast.net www.eaaev.org

• Socially Responsible Transportation
• Support Our Teammates
• Continunous Improvement
• Clean Transportation
• Advocacy

• Quarterly
• Next Scheduled Meeting is last week of June 2002
• Email Richard Sands (rsands01@comcast.net) for next meeting location.

Greetings all,

Back safe and sound from the 2nd annual Power of DC NEDRA drags.  This year was even better then the last, having learned a few things from last year.  Maryland is a bit of a hike from Detroit, so this year I started out a bit earlier and managed to arrive in Hagerstown on Friday night/Saturday morning.  Being fresh in the morning for an eventful day is a priority. I had planned on spending friday off work, doing a bit of packing, taking a nap, but that went out the window.  Like any 'good' racer, I spent the day testing, charging, machining, then down to the painting and decaling.

Anyway, raceday was a beautiful sunny day and my 'Piranha' bike was ready.  Took a bit of sunscreen and a few jugs of water, but it sure beat the showers of last year.  (the new shirts worked!!)  I set up shop with the <= 72 volt crowd of myself, Eric Miller, and Dave Mueller.

This trip was the first time I ever ran the twin Etek configuration.  The results very impressive.  First time out, against Dave's 'Blue Streak' 48V kart, lightning quick 60' time of 2.087 seconds.

After a gear change, I went up against Dave's 'Orange Crush' 24V kart.  Dave had the perfect system of charging one kart while running the other and vicy versey.  This wasn't the same 'Orange Crush' of last year, but the new Etek kart, and the maiden voyage I believe.  Taking the 24V kart wasn't tough, but I still can't touch the old 'Orange Crush' times.

My next trip down the strip put me against Tracie Miller in the 72V 'Arizona Jack Rabbit' Tracie took me for about 4 tenths off the line.  I guess I'll work on reaction times in the off season.  I pulled ahead but kept seeing that jack rabbit to my right the whole way down the strip.  I couldn't keep my eyes on the meters, just on that dragster.  A close margin of victory for the 'Piranha'.

Another gear change, another run against the 'Blue Streak, and a couple more tenths off my last times.  One last solo pass and I put down a 10.36 for the low E.T. for the division.  Then there's the Ford/Chevy shootout.  Chip Gribben who does a week long conversion to transform his Escort from daily driver to drag racer.  High schoolers getting on the track training. etc etc etc etc..

I love being able to run with the best EV racers in the East.  I start to feel mainstream talking with Ampheads about charging algorithms and current limits and battery temps and brush timing.  Makes me not care that I'm a bit out of place when I come back home to the local dragstrip and most people look at you funny, but a few are interested, and more are every day..

See you all next year...

Darin Gilbert

The MotorCity Electric Auto Association had a good showing at the earth Day festivities at the Leslie Science Center in Ann Arbor on Sunday April 21st.  Our group set up in and around the Alternative Energy Vehicles tent.  Paul Tinkerhess displayed one of his Dynasty IT's and two E-bikes.  Also on hand was a Dynasty that Paul had previously sold.  Darin Gilbert brought his record setting Piranha drag cycle.  The Mow-For-Less group, an organization encouraging Greener lawn care, demonstrated a Black and Decker Cordless mower.  From the hybrid category were Insight Man's Honda Insight and a Toyota Prius . 
Richard Sands set up his EAA display to promote our EAA chapter and draw new members.  This was a very good start to a long season of our chapter spreading the EV
word, and growing larger and stronger than ever.

Darin Gilbert