Ride of the Week - Feb. 24, 2007

Being a product of the Jimmy Carter era and 80's fuel-saving practices, I've been pretty careful the way I drive all along. I used to watch fuel economy on my old 78 Buick back in the day. But I'm also a big fan of speed and a few years back I drove a 74 Monte Carlo with all the race trimmings that I'd fuel up with 100 LL out on the airport tarmac when that was still legal. Yes, the plugs fouled up quick! I reduced drag on my airplanes (I owned a flight school and am an instructor) by keeping them clean and waxed and would even put cooking spray on the leading edges of the airfoils. Hey, it reduces drag and as an added bonus, bugs come off a lot easier. Those principles definitely apply to hypermiling.