Western Australia

This thread seems to have disappeared, so thought I would restart it as I am still hoping to get to Lake Lefroy in October. the thought was that we would coincide with the land yacht meet up.

Chook - you still around? Do you have any idea of the dates and would us Perth Buggers be welcome?

Mark

Now that's tempting...... a hell of a long drive from Vic but I have promised myself a trip over there and down to Esperance to visit Chook at some point.

I am definitely intending to go. Not sure if Jo is going to come, as she thinks it may be a bit to much of a guys weekend, if she doesn't then I will probably be looking for a ride.

I am going to need to get organised for this soon.

There is a thread on seabreeze for the event
http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Land-Yacht-Sailing/Events-Competitions/Lake-Lefroy-Marathon-and-Speed-Sep-29-1-Oct-2012/

LAKE LEFROY ,Sept 29-30 , 1st Oct Marathon and speed event, plus social sailing.

That is from a Saturday to a Monday. Could drive over on Friday, back on Tuesday.

Sorry bout that.

I was away for a while and this one slipped by me.
I'll get in contact with the organizers and see what the go is.

Stand by...........

If thats the final date and if we are welcome to kite there during this event then im keen to join. Im by myself so happy to share the ride, also plenty of room for gear ecc.

LAKE LEFROY, Sept 29,30 and 1st Oct.
Marathon and speed event, plus social sailing/buggying.

Buggies (class 8); land boards and any other wind powered land based vehicle are more than welcome. This is one of the best sailing venues in Australia, if not the world.
You must wear a helmet and body armour would be a VERY good idea. The salt surface is like concrete with 60 grit sandpaper over it. There is 550 square kilometres to play on.

The Lake Lefroy club has been really happy with the results of last years GPS speed trials and we will be running them again in conjunction with The Lightning Nickel class 5 Marathon and the Andrew Bates Perpetual Shield for Minis/Blokarts

Registration.
Competitors shall register each morning for the days sailing at a time announced by the officials/scrutineers.
Registration will be on the basis of 1 GPS-1 person-1yacht or buggy.(if participating in speed trials)
Yachts, helmets and seatbelts (for yachts) will be inspected.
Competitors will be given an opportunity to change class during the lunch break.
Late starters may register at this time.
Fees applicable
Initial Registration. $10.00(to be confirmed)
Change of Class $5.00.
Registration for speed trials will count as entry fee for the “Marathon Race” as speeds recorded during the race shall be allowed for submission in speed trial results


Lake Lefroy is a remote area and accommodation is limited to say the least. While there is toilet and shower facilities on site. Plenty of camp sites for vans and tents (all free) you need to bring plenty of water there is none available at the site

This is one of the best sailing venues in Australia if not the world.

For those who are not currently members of a club, The Lake Lefroy Land sailing Club is able to offer Temporary Membership at a cost of $10.00 for the weekend.
Here’s the classes that we ran in 2011
1. Class 5 (FISLY, ALSA) http://www.fisly.org/rules/index.php
2. Class 5 Restricted. Max wheel diameter 420mm
3. Lake Lefroy Mini.Unrestricted http://www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/topi ... C_ID=39791
4. Blokart.Production.Weight divisions not applicable.
Equipment as per International Blokart Racing Assoc. Handbook
http://www.blokart.ee/purikart/TEKSTID/ ... 202007.pdf
5. Blokart . Performance. Weight divisions not applicable.
Equipment rules as per International Blokart Racing Assoc. Handbook
6. Open class 1. round mast section with sail
7. Open class 2. “Non round” mast section with sail
8. Open class 3. Solid surface sail(wing )
9. Buggies are Class 8 land sailers........... so here you go.

Basically if it’s powered by wind we want you there and having fun is a must.

Eligibility.
Competitors must be able to supply documented evidence of membership to a Landyacht or Blokart club . E.g. membership card, receipt, or letter. The event must be included in that clubs calendar of events. For those who are not currently members of a club, The Lake Lefroy Land sailing Club is able to offer Temporary Membership at a cost of $10.00
Suitable GPS Receivers.
Any GPS with a 'max speed' function will be required by each competitor.. It should have fresh batteries and be placed so it has a good view of the sky. Taping them to the “boat” with a good view is better than in a pocket. A pocket that holds the GPS in a good position is generally OK though. Some cell phones can interfere with the GPS. I turn them off, especially the 3G types. Occasionally GPSs will interfere with each other if they are right next to each other. . If you get readings that don't seem realistic a log will generally sort things out. Putting a second GPS in the boat is simpler alternative.
If anyone is going to buy a GPS I recommend a Locosys GT 31. It logs at one hertz, is very sensitive and has a long battery life. Many other GPS can be set to log as well. If anyone has a GT 31 it should be set up to record NMEA sentences GGA and RMC . The unit must be able to download data via a laptop USB. Older GPS units that use a larger plug may not be suitable for down loading. We may not be able to check a very high reading on the laptop that will be at the lake.
Bicycle speedometers that measure from a wheel magnet or cable are not acceptable.
The competitor must ensure that the Date/time settings are correct. The position setting is to be Latitude and Longitude. Height to be in meters above sea level.
Speed readings to be in Kms per hour. The competitor must demonstrate that the memory has been cleared of all data at the beginning of the event.
Competitors must ensure that the unit is kept away from 2 way radios, mobile phones, or any electronic devices whilst in use..
Best speeds each day will be received after 5.00pm.results will simply be taken down manually. If required the scrutineer shall download the best results. Competitors must be able to supply the suitable cable if required.

There is no need to compete if you just wan't to have a social get together. Just need the registration and insurance to cover you.
The above is taken from their club notes.
......................................

I have just a few more bits to do to my new speed buggy and I will be there with that.
So hope to meet you guys and have a chat over a few frothies at the completion of each day.
There will be a full moon so with any luck some night sailing will be in order as well.
Make sure you bring a light so others can see you, as you will be asked to leave without one.
Safety is number one guys.
I will travel up early Thursday morning to get a bit more time on the lake. So catch you there.

Any questions ping them this way.

Chook

Awesome. Now I need to decide if I will brave sleeping in a tent, looking at photos from last year I am not sure. If the wife comes we will probably hire a van.

I'm still up for this, But by the time I have the bug, kites, tent, mattress, food and water in the car, I'm not sure i'm going to have room for much more!

So we can turn up pay $10 (do we pay when we get there or need to register before?) and buggy all day - no need to compete etc? Not sure the PL Comp is up to racing though hoping to give the vapor a good run!



Do you have to co-ords of the camping area/location?

Cheers Mark

So we can turn up pay $10 (do we pay when we get there or need to register before?) and buggy all day - no need to compete etc? Not sure the PL Comp is up to racing though hoping to give the vapor a good run!


Cheers Mark

From reading the info above and the threads on seabreeze, it seems that there are two competitions. There is a top speed competition, which we could take part in just by demonstrating that our gps is zeroed and then showing the top speed at the end of the day. Easy. I see no reason why you couldn't take part in that.

There is also a long distance race, presumably around a course, that is split into a couple of different categories, one for larger yachts and one for smaller. I doubt we would be allowed to to race in either of those categories.

If we can get enough buggies, we will make up our own course. Or just share the lake and have a fat time.

Out around the islands and back or we can work something out on the day. It’s a big enough play pen to suit all wind directions.

There are 2 locals buggying (I’m sure the main local, John is keen) and I will bring mine so that makes 3 so far.

Speed isn’t the focus. It’s having fun and learning how to buggy, with practically no rolling resistance.

The turn off on the Coolgardie Esperance Hwy, is at, 31* 23’45.84”S 121*33’03.74”E. There is a haul pack tyre there and a Land sailing sign, the sign is only visible approaching from the Kambalda/Coolgardie way.

The club shelter is located at 31*22’13.60”S 121*37’23.75E. It has a large wood fired barby that is used for cooking and heating water.
Make sure you bring enough water as there isn’t any on site.

All the salt ponds that they used to harvest the salt on are sailable and as smooth as glass. They are slightly higher than the surrounding lake, so if it rains before hand they can be used if the main lake has standing water. The lake is large enough that as soon as the wind comes up it blows the water over one side anyway. The salt is that hard that you can run through the standing water anyway
This is one of the ponds. Just excuse the equipment.

IMG_8497.JPG (383.97 KiB) Viewed 852 times

Chook

DROOL nice looking playground

Don't forget there is almost NO rolling resistance on the salt, most of the time I am massively overpowered with a 5.4m Vapor, best kite I have at the moment is an Ozone Octane 4m but I have ordered a 3.8 Vapor just for the regatta.

Almost forgot, for local contacts see..
http://www.facebook.com/KiteBuggyLakeLefroyWa

Full moon on the lake

IMG_7454.JPG (2.19 MiB) Viewed 834 times

Make sure you bring a light so others can see you, as you will be asked to leave without one.

What kind of light do you recommend?

I have a set for the bicycle (front and rear), would that be suitable, or would it ruin your night vision?

I have used a head light (head band type over my helmet) with it shinning upwards so as not to blind others. In a yacht it shines on the sail and looks like the 'Mary Celeste’ in the moonlight. It's no good blinding your oncoming mate.

I'll be honest; I have not buggied at night. So any ideas fellas???


There was a very near miss on Lefroy, years ago, in the moonlight with both yachts travelling at over 100kmh each, so they are very safety conscious now.

Looking forward to meeting you guys.

Chook

I was thinking of mounting a bike headlamp facing the ground in front of the buggy, just like a car with its lights on dip, but then it would be difficult to see anything outside the lit area. I could just get some more red tail lights, so I can be seen without lighting anything up.

For light a headband light facing up would be fine.

Also an orange rotating beacon left on top of the car makes it so much easier to get back to the right spot on the causeway especially if your a long way out.

I have tried glow sticks on the back corners of the kite, while not really necessary on a full moon it looks pretty cool. Might be worth trying a light weight beam type torch taped to one of the front lines this would keep the kite more or less in the beam.

That sounds like the go John. A nice light LED torch on the front bridal lines facing the kite. That would look great!!!!
I really like that one.

I've also done the led/cyalume light sticks tucked in each corner of the kite. I'll drop the leash to the led glow stick through the dirt outs and seal the dirt outs back up so the light stick can't come out of the kite. A light stick taped to the rear axle should be ok too. I think I'm officially jealous of this event! One day......

3.8 Vapor arrived yesterday just in time to test it on the full moon tonight