THUNDERDROME - Detroit MI - April 30th

[grindz145]

It's been mentioned in another thread, but I just wanted to break it out in case someone missed it and is interested.

There will be a race at the Dorais velodrome April 30th, (among other dates)
Details here: http://thunderdrome.com/event-info/

If there are at least 3 ebikes they will create a class, and if not we can race against the gassers. Since Thud and I will be there, I imagine will probably be able to have an ebike class.

I'll also be heading there from Rochester, NY, most likely through Ontario, so if there's anyone who'd like to hitch a ride on the way, we have a hotel as well, and the cost to hitch a ride and the hotel will be about 80 bucks.

I'm super psyched, and I hope this becomes the spooky-tooth of the north!

Check out all the sweet footage from last year:
http://thunderdrome.com/flicks-and-vids/

 

[TylerDurden]

 

[Thud]

hmmnnn. My bikes arive back home next monday....5 days before thunderdrome....
I have no sensorless speedcontrollers working...
guess I will see if i can mount my ca120 with a clutch & a monster sprocket for the event... run it with the 18fet controller & see what happens.....I love drama

 

[kfong]

I'll be there to spectate, I'll bring a good camera for sure. Maybe next year I'll have something fast enough to compete.

 

[Thud]

Kfong,
Bring your bike...We need 5 to make a class...don't worry about speed itas al about track time & having fun!

 

[kfong]

It will be pretty lame, I only built the BMC setup for the trails. It goes only 20mph, my cyclone setup gets 27mph without pedaling, but the konions will be stressed too much during the race, something I don't want to happen. Neither would be good for the event or much fun to ride. If they allow me to ride the BMC with the regular mountain bikes, that would be another matter. Somehow, I don't think the regular bikers would be too keen on that.

 

[bigmoose]

Anyone been to the Thunderdrome before and know what the area is like right at the track? Will you have a car after the event to drive home in? If is the rough and tumble about Detroit over hyped?

 

[Thud]

:lol: Bigmoose,
I have been to boxing matches in Gary IN, Flint MI, & by far the scaryest town to be in was Warren Mi up the road a ways.
This place is a block or two from Emenem's stomping grounds around 8 Mile road in friendly/scenic detroit Mi. :wink:

during daylight in a crowd I wouldn't worry about a thing. Here is a quote off the FAQ page on the TD website:

Isn’t Detroit really dangerous? Will I get robbed?
You’re considering racing on one of the most dangerous velodromes currently in existence and you’re worried about being robbed? Toughen up. Regardless, yes, Detroit can be dangerous, but this neighborhood actually isn’t bad. Plus, we’re tough, roughly 11% more hardcore than the average Detroiters, we’ll keep you safe.

Isn’t Kalamazoo really dangerous? Will I get robbed?
Yes and probably. Especially since we’ll be out in the sticks.

Kfong, definatly bring your bike..you don't have to sign up or even ride..but if the guy's riding need to sign up a ghost rider to fill the class its better if we have a bike there to justify the class...& considering I have yet to finish a race on a running E-bike...20mph looks pretty good to me these days.

 

[kfong]

Here is an ariel veiw of the place. It won't have the exciting turns like the Death race. I'm not familiar with the area, but I doubt it would be anything to worry about Bigmoose. The area looks pretty wide open.

Yeah, I might bring the BMC just to ride it around. Maybe sneak in a race with the mountainbike crowd and see if they catch on

http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/dorais-velodrome/view/?service=1

 

[liveforphysics]

If there are at least 3 ebikes they will create a class, and if not we can race against the gassers. Since Thud and I will be there, I imagine will probably be able to have an ebike class.

No ebike class... that would be so lame. The fun is racing an ebike head-to-head with the gassers IMHO.

 

[dbaker]

Wow Turns won't be a problem What top speed will you gear for, Thud Will suspension be an asset?

 

[kfong]

Yeah, I would have to agree. My bike won't be much of a challenge to race and there isn't enough e-bikes to even make it an exciting race. Would rather see you race against the gassers. I'll have something faster next year to join the fun.

If there are at least 3 ebikes they will create a class, and if not we can race against the gassers. Since Thud and I will be there, I imagine will probably be able to have an ebike class.

No ebike class... that would be so lame. The fun is racing an ebike head-to-head with the gassers IMHO.

 

[Thud]

Dave,

i really don't know LOL! I am re-winding my CA-120for 20 cells & breaking out the 18fet controller & will push it to 6kw+ or there abouts... we'll see what that does.

I have an aluminum frame very simular to what paulD ran in touscon...since braking & cornering wont be the defining point of this track, I may run 24" wheels & my new Girvin fork on the old Giant frame...or bolt the Marin back together if full suspension looks like a win.
I will have a plan set this weekend.

this type of track is where the overvolted Hubs could really shine.

EDIT:
LFP:

No ebike class... that would be so lame. The fun is racing an ebike head-to-head with the gassers IMHO.

hehe maybe the red bmxer in the pit bike class! that could fun!

Grindz145 what are you bringing to the race? standard bike? race built bike? i doubt I will run the deathrace bike...if i do it will be with a re-fit CA-120 & an 18fet Lyens controller taking the pain.

 

[grindz145]

Dave,

i really don't know LOL! I am re-winding my CA-120for 20 cells & breaking out the 18fet controller & will push it to 6kw+ or there abouts... we'll see what that does.

I have an aluminum frame very simular to what paulD ran in touscon...since braking & cornering wont be the defining point of this track, I may run 24" wheels & my new Girvin fork on the old Giant frame...or bolt the Marin back together if full suspension looks like a win.
I will have a plan set this weekend.

this type of track is where the overvolted Hubs could really shine.

EDIT:
LFP:

No ebike class... that would be so lame. The fun is racing an ebike head-to-head with the gassers IMHO.

Sorry I've been away from ES for a few days, so busy.

,
hehe maybe the red bmxer in the pit bike class! that could fun!

Grindz145 what are you bringing to the race? standard bike? race built bike? i doubt I will run the deathrace bike...if i do it will be with a re-fit CA-120 & an 18fet Lyens controller taking the pain.

I'm bringing my xtracycle, but I ordered some nanotechs, so the plan is to swap my 5.5Kwh pack out for the nanotechs. My bike should be good for about 35+ so I won't be wicked fast but who cares? It's all about making a showing. If I can get my girlfriends currie LiMn battery fixed in time Ill even throw that on the trailer so someone can "race" that. It doesn't get any slower.

p.s. an ebike class would be epic. I see your point about racing the gassers Luke, but I think it would be sweet to have a class dedicated to it for future races too. It would encourage more people to race ebikes. I have a couple of buddies who are coming that will be racing mopeds and scoots too, and they're fun in they're own right. It would be sweet to race the gassers but I want to see the ebikes of all sizes in the race, the more the better

We need you Kfong!

 

[grindz145]

What class tickets did you get? Moped?

 

[Thud]

I was holding off till day of the event...
But yes on moped class....i will prolly be put in the fast one......hehe.

 

[kfong]

Hey, what time are you guys planning to be there. I don't see any schedule, so I'm assuming the events are a bit informal. I'm really only showing up to meet other ES members, so I don't know how long I will be there. Just going to spectate, help, and hangout.

I might try to get a booster pack built, to get my BMC to higher speeds so I can at least hang with the crowd. Not sure how fast I can reliably push the V2 600w T motor. I need it for the summer riding season, and will be totally bummed if I even miss one day of trail riding, so no promises that I will even bring it. My controller is rated for 72V, but i think that puts the motor at too high of a risk.

 

[Thud]

April 30, 2011

Dorais Park Velodrome

Mound Road and Outer Drive

Detroit, MI.

9:00 AM to dusk

Rain date: May 1st


I will prolly be there 8:30ish....

 

[grindz145]

Racing starts around noon, and we plan to be there around 8:30 to get setup and everything. Ill have my little zoom microphone, and maybe you guys will be willing to do a little live podcasting with me

 

[kfong]

I doubt if I will get there that early, but around noon sounds good to me, unless I'm racing. See you there.

 

[grindz145]

I doubt if I will get there that early, but around noon sounds good to me, unless I'm racing. See you there.

Come on man race!! Either way I look forward to meeting you.


Everything is set, were heading out tonight at 5 when I get out of work. It was a long week of getting the ICE bike/ trailer/ and ebike ready for the race, and I'm lacking sleep but super psyched to get there!

see you there!

 

[GCinDC]

you gonna race the ICE and ebikes? take lots of pics! not to mention vid! have fun.

THUD, is this the one?

did you guys figure out which class? the moped class?

 

[kfong]

Grindz145, I really wanted to. I looked into over-volting the BMC to keep up with the mopeds. I would need to push it to 72volts. No one I've heard about has had much success at these power levels for long on this motor. It usually ends up in a fried motor or peanut butter gears or broken clutch and I need the bike for the trail riding season.

The cyclone I could mess with, but I don’t think the original controller will take more voltage without mods. It was a 24volt version that I’ve been running at 40volts, and I would have to put together an A123 pack, since the konions can’t sustain such loads. Even this won't allow me to keep up with the pack, so I'm just going to have to race next year.

None of my bikes are setup to race. That will change, I have a couple of RC builds that I will work on during the winter months and some bike frames to try them on - a Kona Cowan DS will be my new race bike/jumper.

See you guys tomorrow.

 

[grindz145]

kfong, I was really hoping just to create an ebike class race, even if there was a 15mph ebike they could enter... My bike only does 33mph or so right now, because I've been working around the clock on everything and I completely ran out of time to reprogram my controller for 125%... dope


Thud: do you happen to have an extra 18s-22s pack that my friend matt could borrow/rent/buy from you tomorrow to race? His lead is not going to be very exciting....

 

[grindz145]

you gonna race the ICE and ebikes? take lots of pics! not to mention vid! have fun.

THUD, is this the one?

did you guys figure out which class? the moped class?

I'm registered for the moped class, still dreaming about an ebike class though...

I built up my old XL100, which is going to be raced by my friend Adam in the pitbike class. Be ready for a pretty stellar custom paint job..... 8) :lol: