My guess i submitted was 1230 laps!! approx. 41 mpg! I think they will go more than that now though.......I think the are getting approx. 45mpg so far!!

 

EXACTLY!!!

That was what I figured my guess against was 55-60 mph, as in moderate highway speed.

I think it sucks that they are running so slow.

I wonder if anyone will hit on the correct lap count now.

 

I do realize they are trying to drive a speed that gives them the best MPGs. I guess they think 45 mph is that speed. I always thought the sweet spot for best MPGs is in between 50-55 mph. Back in the 1970s they got it right making 55 mph the speed limit. Best MPGs, decent driving speed but slow enough to have good accident reaction time. Yes, my opinion would have been to drive the car somewhere between 50-55 mph for the best MPGs.

 

Updates

Quote:

Quote:

Ford Racing Mustang 1000 Lap Challenge 7pm update: The Ford Mustang has completed 981 laps and averaged 45.1 miles per gallon from 7-8pm. The air conditioning has not been used yet today. #mustang1k

 

I'm hoping for mechanical failure at lap 1071

 

Passed the 1000 lap mark a little while ago, still about 1/4 tank left and comtinuing on until empty.

 

My V-6 automatic with the 3.31 gear ratio doesn't go into 6th gear until around 42 m.p.h. Maybe that's why they are going to do 45 m.p.h. for this m.p.g. test.

 

is it done yet lol

 

Mustang 1000 Lap Challenge 10pm update - the Mustang just completed 1194 laps at Bristol Speedway....

Still going...

 

Low fuel light at lap 1226

 

That means it has reached "50 miles to Empty" Which still isn't exactly empty. I just ran mu car down to 7 miles to E and only filled up with 14 gallons. That means there was still 2 gallons in there. Which by my calculations, they still have a way to go. I bet they come close to 1500 laps when all done.

 

Damnit... I lost THIS and the Powerball this week.

Back to work tomorrow. . .

 

They have a video posted of it crossing the line a lap 1000, looks like you could run along side the car as slow as it is going.

There is also a poll asking how fast they should have been going, NOBODY voted for 45...

 

1321 laps and counting

 

1393 laps @ midnight Bristol local time and moving into day two...

 

1,442 laps as of 12:30AM local time at the track.

Also, Ford Racing is saying their average speed is "between 45-55mph". Noticed folks on this thread have been focusing on the slower of the range and thought I'd quote Ford racing for those interested on the speed.

You can see the results yourself at this link: https://www.mustang1000lapchallenge....istration.aspx

Update: as of 12:45AM local time at the track, the car has stopped. They are reviewing the data and will post the final lap count "very soon".

 

1457 not bad, so like 45.5mpg average?

Nope 48.536 mpg I guess

 

Noticed it has a 6-speed automatic. This is interesting they'd choose this configuration since I wouldn't expect they'd do much shifting and the auto, even with lockup, has (I thought) more internal friction than a manual.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3qWsvSDMlk

 

Think I might've answered my own question (re why auto was chosen over the manual):

Auto 6th gear 0.691
Manual 6th gear 0.70

Auto 31 mpg hwy
Manual 29 mpg hwy

Both transmissions have 2.73 and 3.31 axles available

http://media.ford.com/images/10031/2...g_V6_Specs.pdf

The only question I have remaining is why the EPA rating for the auto is 2mpg higher than the stick? Fluke in the EPA testing or is the auto that much more efficient on the highway than the manual (or does .691 vs .70 make that much difference on the highway?)? Interesting ...

 

guess I guessed a little low. I wonder if anyone guessed that high.