UW-Madison News Release--Human-powered vehicle challenge

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> 4/23/08
>
> CONTACT: Frank Pfefferkorn, pfefferk@engr.wisc.edu, (608) 263-2668; Heidi Ploeg, ploeg@engr.wisc.edu, (608) 262-2690; Nicole Zabel, nrzabel@wisc.edu
>
> UW-MADISON WILL HOST HUMAN-POWERED VEHICLE CHALLENGE
>
> MADISON - The University of Wisconsin-Madison this weekend will host the 25th annual American Society of Mechanical Engineers Human Powered Vehicle Challenge.
>
> Held April 25-27, the event will draw more than 250 participants representing approximately 30 teams from around the country. One team hails from Venezuela.
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> Human powered vehicles (HPVs) are aerodynamic bicycle-type vehicles custom-designed by college engineering students. As an eco-friendly alternative form of transportation, HPVs are designed for speed, endurance or all-around performance.
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> The competition consists of three races, as well as a technical presentation and a high school design competition. The sprint race is 100 meters-and all about speed; in the past, some HPVs have gone as fast as 60 mph. The endurance race is 65 kilometers around a 1 kilometer circuit and riders are relieved every 5 kilometer.
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> The UW-Madison bike is especially designed to compete in the third race, the utility race. Riders make multiple laps around a 1 kilometer course full of obstacles. On each lap, the vehicles navigate a slalom, hairpin-turn, S-turn and ramp. They also drive over a 2x4 and pick up or drop a simulated bag of groceries.
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> Most of the vehicles will be leg powered, but the UW-Madison bike will be powered by the driver's hands and arms.
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> The competition is open to the public, and each day the events are held in different locations in the Madison area.
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> - Vehicle display and design presentations. Friday April 25, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Monona Terrace, One John Nolen Drive, Madison.
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> - 100 meter sprint race. Saturday, April 26, 8 a.m.-noon, Sauk Prairie Airport, Prairie du Sac.
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> - 10 kilometer utility race. Saturday, April 26, 1:30-4 p.m., Sauk Prairie Airport, Prairie du Sac.
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> - 65 kilometer endurance relay. Sunday April 27, UW-Madison Lot 60, 8:30 a.m.-noon.
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> For more information, including a detailed schedule and directions to the events, visit: www.engr.wisc.edu/studentorgs/hpvc/2008competition.html.
> ###
> -Sandra Knisely, (608) 262-2481, perspective@engr.wisc.edu
>
>
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>
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