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Ultimate MPG Vehicle Contest Rules
Purpose
For Industrial Technology students to design and build a high mileage vehicle to compete with other schools from around the state at the Iowa Industrial Technology Exposition.

What Happens
Each school will design and build a vehicle or vehicles according to the rules and regulations provided. At the time of the contest, each entry will be allotted a measured amount of fuel to be added after all fuel lines are drained at the carb. The route will be run on a designated hard surface course until the vehicle runs out of fuel. Mileage will be computed by the formula: MPG=course distance / fuel consumed.

Note: No modifi cations to increase carb fuel bowl capacity will be allowed.

CONTEST REQUIREMENTS
Weight

  1. Vehicle - No minimum or maximum.
  2. Driver - Minimum of 150 lbs.
    Drivers who do not meet the minimum weight must add ballast to bring weight up to the 150 lb. limit.
    Schools to bring their own ballast in the form of sandbags.

Maneuverability

  1. Each vehicle must have a steering geometry capable of a 50 ft. maximum inside turning radius.
  2. Drivers must have adequate visibility to avoid collision with other vehicles and maintain course direction.

Speed
Max - 20 MPH
Min - 10 MPH average speed

Tires

  1. Minimum of three load bearing tires.
  2. No requirements on size.

ENGINE

  1. Size - No minimum or maximum
  2. Type - 2 or 4 cycle

Fuel tank and fuel

  1. Tank must be a minimum of 1 pint capacity.
  2. Tank must be conveniently located and equipped with an easily accessible drain valve at bottom of tank.
  3. All push-on fuel line fi ttings must be clamped.
  4. Pressurized tanks will not be allowed.
  5. Sole source of energy is fuel provided by the Iowa Technology Expo.
    A. Ethanol Regular Unleaded.
    B. Ethanol Unleaded Oil (mix 32 to 1 ratio). Oil provided by contestant.\
  6. Vehicle must start from a dead stop under its own power.
  7. Batteries can be carried on each vehicle, but are limited to starting systems and instrumentation. The sole source of vehicle propulsion must be from the engine.
  8. Water injection is allowed with no alcohol or other fuel to be added.
  9. All vehicles will receive 8 ounces of fuel. If you use mix fuel at a 32 to 1 ratio, you may elect to use non mix fuel and add your own lubrication oil, up to 1/2 ounce.

CONTEST REQUIREMENTS
Safety Equipment

  1. Driver must wear a helmet.
  2. Vehicle must be equipped with a kill switch and a minimum 3 point seat belt for the driver.
  3. Brakes must stop the vehicle within 100 feet at 20 MPH.
  4. All moving powertrain components must be guarded from accidental breakage or body contact.
  5. Vehicle must be equipped with a rear-view mirror.
  6. Each pit crew must be equipped with an easily accessible multipurpose ABC dry chemical fi re extinguisher, Rating No. 1A 10 BC or equivalent.
  7. A wall of steel or aluminum material of 0.032 inch minimum thickness must separate the driver from the engine and the vehicle must have a roll bar.
  8. Adequate side protection consisting of tubing and/or sheet metal must protect the driver from side impacts.
  9. The driver must be able to quickly exit the vehicle, within 10 seconds, unassisted, in case of emergency.
  10. Vehicle integrity and driver competency will be the responsibility of the supervising teacher.

Documentation
Plans should include:

  1. Two sets in 8 1/2 X 11 format, one copy to be kept by the judges.
  2. Basic vehicle confi guration: General arrangement, physical dimensions, and location of components.
  3. Cost estimate and bill of materials.
  4. Engine: Type, make, model, and modifi cations made.
  5. Cars reused from previous years should have documentation of design changes.

RACEDAY RULES

  1. Maximum speed 20 MPH.
  2. Breakdowns go to the track outfi eld with the driver to stay in the vehicle and a maximum of two support people (pit crew) to repair the car.
  3. All other crew members and spectators are to stay behind the yellow pit line.
  4. No parking or pits along the track straightaway. All pits must be located at east or west ends of track.

ALTERNATIVE FUEL/EXHIBITION/EXPERIMENTAL CLASS
For those wanting to design and build or modify a vehicle or vehicles powered by an alternative fuel or of an experimental nature, an exhibition class will be available. Vehicles running in the exhibition class must conform to the contest requirements for the following categories; weight, maneuverability, speed, tires, engine, fuel tank, safety, and documentation. We would also encourage vehicles
in the exhibition class to be entered in the Problem Solving division as well. All alternative fuels to be provided by the contestant.

* Please note changes to this year's contest requirements, which are bold faced.