For da kiddies, I wanna new version of LeMans. You could stick that thing back in the DF area (based on space available...but maybe too close to the bumper cars) or in the LOD area @Zachary is eyeing.
Le Mans Redux
- Thread starter GrandpaD
- Start date
Nobody had a problem with the idea of adding Verbolten right next to the bumper cars!
I’d love to see a 1930s themed Nurburgring that slowly winds around Festhaus Field in the shadow of whatever the new attraction turns out to be. Plenty of relatively level land. A few grade changes during the course(s) for interest. Simple, open wheel cars with that streamlined body shape and no roof. Two seats.
One potential hurdle would be the choice of propulsion system. A gaggle of four-strokes wouldn’t exactly flatter the park’s ecological message, and may cause work environment issues. Electric vehicles with all-day battery capabilities on board would be expensive, if not downright prohibitive.
This assumes some critical mass of visitors would even be interested in a new attraction of that type in the first place.
I’d love to see a 1930s themed Nurburgring that slowly winds around Festhaus Field in the shadow of whatever the new attraction turns out to be. Plenty of relatively level land. A few grade changes during the course(s) for interest. Simple, open wheel cars with that streamlined body shape and no roof. Two seats.
One potential hurdle would be the choice of propulsion system. A gaggle of four-strokes wouldn’t exactly flatter the park’s ecological message, and may cause work environment issues. Electric vehicles with all-day battery capabilities on board would be expensive, if not downright prohibitive.
This assumes some critical mass of visitors would even be interested in a new attraction of that type in the first place.
Maybe, but what about overhead wire drive like trains use?
Realistically, anything that could be a guest and/or employee hazard like that would probably be a no go. Otherwise, the concept sounds good.
I thought about the contact charge approach. Probably challenging to achieve without some risk of injury in corner-case situations (jerk kids messing around etc).
Small recharge to batteries each time a car returns to unload... hard to achieve in 30 seconds, and again, injury risk.
Someone will also wonder if this concept would preclude building that area into a hamlet at some point in the future by consuming too much space. My thought here is: maybe. Not sure if that’s a realistic possibility though, once this 355 foot attraction goes in. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Small recharge to batteries each time a car returns to unload... hard to achieve in 30 seconds, and again, injury risk.
Someone will also wonder if this concept would preclude building that area into a hamlet at some point in the future by consuming too much space. My thought here is: maybe. Not sure if that’s a realistic possibility though, once this 355 foot attraction goes in. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
If it’s overhead contact driven by an auto extending charger it could work. And if you make it through the station in 45 seconds.
Hell get Tesla to sponsor it. Use the supercharging technology and their long range batteries. That combo should get you through a day.
If a Briggs and Stratton 9hp engine is good enough for Disney, they're good enough for BGW. I read the now closed Hong Kong Disney Raceway used electric cars. Rumor was they might appear in Orlando with the redesign. I guess they felt the gas (couldn't they use propane?) was more reliable.
I wonder how much Tesla would kick in to sponsor the installation.
Maybe the cars could load and unload on the left side only, and along the car’s right side the load/unload zone could have a self contained charge unit running the length of the floor in that area. Charge probe extends from the RHS of the car in the station, slides into a slot in the charge unit, and picks up enough charge to top off the on board battery.
Absent the charge function, the battery can still power the car for 2-3 hours of use before reaching 10-15% and shutting down.
Maybe the cars could load and unload on the left side only, and along the car’s right side the load/unload zone could have a self contained charge unit running the length of the floor in that area. Charge probe extends from the RHS of the car in the station, slides into a slot in the charge unit, and picks up enough charge to top off the on board battery.
Absent the charge function, the battery can still power the car for 2-3 hours of use before reaching 10-15% and shutting down.
Maybe they could keep it gas powered with modern engines - I'd imagine they'd emit way less than the old Le Man's cars did, probably be more efficient than comparable sized electric ride vehicles running on batteries.
I'd also imagine maintenance would be simpler as more maintenance staff members are likely more familiar working with gas engines than electric. Also, parts would theoretically be easier to get for a much larger period of time at a presumed lower cost.
On the flip side for electric - keep in mind that a standard golf cart, which would potentially go about the same speed and have a similar mass as an electric ride vehicle, can usually be charged overnight for a day of use.
I'd also imagine maintenance would be simpler as more maintenance staff members are likely more familiar working with gas engines than electric. Also, parts would theoretically be easier to get for a much larger period of time at a presumed lower cost.
On the flip side for electric - keep in mind that a standard golf cart, which would potentially go about the same speed and have a similar mass as an electric ride vehicle, can usually be charged overnight for a day of use.
Electric carts top out at 20 MPH and last about 3 hours at that rate. They tend to get 2 rounds (8 hours) with about a total of 6 hours of actual driving.
I guess the carts I used to mess with at a country club were governed to a lower speed, I think they all had a max of about 10 mph. Of course the all day thing is considering that each cart was only moving between holes and to storage, and weren't necessarily getting more than a round or two of action.
The larger point being that they wouldn't need to be charged so constantly like the in-station loading charger idea suggests, especially with more modern vehicle batteries.
What about solar panels on the cars to extend the range if the park goes the battery powered route?
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Four strokes kind of are what they are... perhaps they can be made a bit quieter and slightly less mechanically sloppy than those of yesteryear, but I can’t imagine they would ever be more energy efficient than electric motors supplying equivalent low speed torque.
One major reason for the world’s familiarity with small gas engine maintenance is the simple fact that small gas engines need it quite regularly. Electric motors are extremely low maintenance by comparison. Very few adjustments, very few settings. No such thing as running idle. Direct drive. Dead simple mechanically to use on a small novelty vehicle.
I’ve run a fully charged electric golf cart almost all the way down by driving it for 36 holes carrying 2 people plus clubs. Not sure whether that’s typical for an electric cart with a standard lead-acid battery, but I kind of suspect it is. Not terrific. Better battery tech and in-use quick recharging would seem to be a must-have for a Le Mans style attraction. Not sure how existing electric slow-car rides accomplish it, exactly. Probably worth me reading up on that.
Solar panels on a mini-car roof don’t collect enough energy to usefully recharge that vehicle for sustained use. Though that would theoretically be awesome.
That proposed electrical cars with quick charging system is just pure $$$. There are so many other rides more "worth it" for that price in a park's eyes.It's sad since I love car rides like that.
As I posted somewhere before (heck, I don't even know) Hong Kong Disney Raceway used electric cars before it was shut down. I'd assume their reliability(?) led WDW to remain with the gas powered versions they've used for years in Orlando.