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TOOELE VALLEY — Top engineering students from the United States will roll out new concept designs in pedal-powered transportation while competing head-to-head in the 2012 ASME Human Powered Vehicle Challenge (HPVC-West) this weekend, May 4-6, at Miller Motorsport Park.
Nineteen colleges and universities will compete in HPVC- West, in which student teams will put their vehicle prototypes through a series of performance trials in speed, endurance and driver skills. Organized by ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers), the event will examine the students' ability to apply sound engineering design principles in the development of sustainable and practical human-powered transportation alternatives. The local hosts for this event are the engineering schools at the University of Utah and Brigham Young University.
The ASME Human Powered Vehicle Challenge also gives student engineers hands-on experience and team-building skills, while offering a unique opportunity to expand their knowledge and explore the field of engineering in a practical and fun way.
Bearing names such as The Wildcat, Catalyst and The Jester of Tortuga, the vehicles will be judged on safety, maneuverability, practicality and design efficiency as the students run these sleek "super bikes" over designated courses at Miller Motorsport Park.
"The Human Powered Vehicle Challenge is a demonstration of creativity and technical innovation," said ASME president Victoria A. Rockwell. "In designing the vehicles, the students bring classroom engineering theory and design to actual concept and fabrication. In the process, the participants learn to work in a collaborative team environment and acquire the essential skills needed to be successful in the engineering workforce."
Judges will award cash prizes and trophies to the top teams in each of several categories. Special recognition will go to teams that exhibit outstanding sportsmanship and team spirit.
The 2012 ASME Human Powered Vehicle Challenge is sponsored by Knovel®, the leader in Web-based application integrating technical information with analytical and search tools.
In addition to the ASME HPVC-West, Miller Motorsports Park will also host the opening round of the Lucas Oil Offroad Racing Series Utah Region's 2012 season on our Off Road Short Course on Saturday, as well as a driving clinic for the Porsche Club of America Intermountain Region and a motorcycle track day by Apex Track Days.
Admission on Friday and Sunday will be free to everyone. Admission on Saturday will be $6 for adults, with kids 12 and under admitted free of charge. As always, active-duty military personnel are eligible for a 50-percent discount on ticket prices.
HPVC-West Participants
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
California State University, Chico
California State University, Fresno
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Northridge
East Los Angeles College
Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Montana State University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
University of Arizona
University of California, Riverside
University of California, San Diego
University of Louisiana, Lafayette
University of Montana College of Technology
University of Nevada, Reno
University of Texas, Dallas
View the 96-second HPVC video.
About ASME
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not- for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world. For more information visit www.asme.org.
To obtain tickets for or information regarding Miller Motorsports Park, call 435-277-RACE (7223) or visit the track's website at www.MillerMotorsportsPark.com.
