Reno gears up for HPV Challenge

Mel Torre
ASME Public Information

Some of the brightest and most innovative engineering students in the country will compete in the ASME 2001 Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Challenge, April 27-29, in Reno, Nev.

The competition will showcase the design, aerodynamics, speed and agility of vehicles operated completely by human pedal power, with some HPVs reaching speeds of nearly 60 mph.

San Francisco State's Rolling Fog finished fifth in the utility category at last year's Human Powered Vehicle competition.

ASME sponsors the HPV Challenge in hopes of finding a design that can be used for everyday activities ranging from commuting to going to the grocery store. Contestants, comprised of student members, will compete in three main categories — single rider, tandem and utility vehicles. All HPVs will be judged on their design, safety and performance.

Hosted by the University of Nevada, Reno, this year's competition will field teams from more than 20 universities, including Colorado State University, University of California-Chico, New York Institute of Technology, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, University of Kansas and University of Missouri-Rolla.

Registration, presentations and safety inspections will be held Friday, April 27, at the Peppermill Casino Hotel in Reno. The first test of performance and structural soundness will come on Saturday during the sprint and utility races. The challenging test of speed and endurance will take place on Sunday, when riders must negotiate a rigorous course featuring loops, obstacles and hairpin turns.

Bearacuda, from the University of California-Berkeley, took home the award for overall first place tandem vehicle, as well as top honors for tandem sprint and design, last year.

Teams will push, or should we say pedal, their HPVs to the limit, while putting their mechanical engineering applications to the test.

Winning teams will be awarded cash prizes, with recognition also given for sportsmanship, design research, team spirit and special achievement.

For more details about the ASME 2001 HPV Challenge, visit the official Web site at www.asme. org/hpv.

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