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By Ed Klim
President, ISMA
The snowmobile manufacturers (Arctic Cat, BRP, Polaris, and Yamaha)
were once again gold sponsors of the sixth annual Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE) Snowmobile Challenge. The 2005 Challenge was a huge
success, and the conditions in Houghton, MI, were ideal for a five-day
snowmobile competition. The winter weather was perfect, the snow
conditions were phenomenal and the trail system was perfectly groomed.
There were 132 students participating from 13 different Universities from
across the United States and Canada. They convened in Houghton at the
Keweenaw Research Center, which is affiliated with Michigan
Technological University, to show off eight months of hard work. The
young engineering students were enthusiastic and presented 13 different
solutions on how to improve a snowmobile.
The university-built snowmobiles competed in numerous, strenuous
events. The vehicles had to complete a 100-mile endurance run and were
checked for fuel economy. There was stringent testing of handling
characteristics on a specially designed Keweenaw Research Center
course. Vehicles were tested for noise, emissions and various subjective
handling events during the event.
A new rider comfort evaluation event was initiated this year. The event
was a measurement of shock and vibration transmitted to the driver as
the sled negotiated a bump course. Vehicles were also tested for curb
appeal and each of the groups made presentations to industry
professionals, who served as judges. First place overall went to the
University of Buffalo, Suny. Second place went to Clarkston University-
Potsdam, NY, and third place went to the University of Wisconsin,
Madison.
The four-snowmobile manufacturers participated in the event and
enthusiastically supported the young engineers, eager to build knowledge
and improve skills to boost their career success.
The event was exceptionally well planned and managed by Michigan
Tech University and the Keweenaw Research Center. The Society of
Automotive Engineers has announced that Michigan Tech will coordinate
the SAE snowmobile challenge event for 2006 and 2007.
President, ISMA
The snowmobile manufacturers (Arctic Cat, BRP, Polaris, and Yamaha)
were once again gold sponsors of the sixth annual Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE) Snowmobile Challenge. The 2005 Challenge was a huge
success, and the conditions in Houghton, MI, were ideal for a five-day
snowmobile competition. The winter weather was perfect, the snow
conditions were phenomenal and the trail system was perfectly groomed.
There were 132 students participating from 13 different Universities from
across the United States and Canada. They convened in Houghton at the
Keweenaw Research Center, which is affiliated with Michigan
Technological University, to show off eight months of hard work. The
young engineering students were enthusiastic and presented 13 different
solutions on how to improve a snowmobile.
The university-built snowmobiles competed in numerous, strenuous
events. The vehicles had to complete a 100-mile endurance run and were
checked for fuel economy. There was stringent testing of handling
characteristics on a specially designed Keweenaw Research Center
course. Vehicles were tested for noise, emissions and various subjective
handling events during the event.
A new rider comfort evaluation event was initiated this year. The event
was a measurement of shock and vibration transmitted to the driver as
the sled negotiated a bump course. Vehicles were also tested for curb
appeal and each of the groups made presentations to industry
professionals, who served as judges. First place overall went to the
University of Buffalo, Suny. Second place went to Clarkston University-
Potsdam, NY, and third place went to the University of Wisconsin,
Madison.
The four-snowmobile manufacturers participated in the event and
enthusiastically supported the young engineers, eager to build knowledge
and improve skills to boost their career success.
The event was exceptionally well planned and managed by Michigan
Tech University and the Keweenaw Research Center. The Society of
Automotive Engineers has announced that Michigan Tech will coordinate
the SAE snowmobile challenge event for 2006 and 2007.