Three local high schools will participate in the 17th annual Indiana Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Alliance Super Mileage Challenge.
The competition will be at Lucas Oil Raceway Park, Indianapolis, April 30 beginning at 8 a.m.
A total of 29 Indiana high schools have entered 39 cars in the two classes of competition.
Local teams competing include Warsaw Area Career Center, Wawasee High School and Triton High School, according to the official press release.
Stock class allows no modification to the engine and will have 18 cars.âUnlimited class allows engine modifications and will have 21 entries. Additionally, one car from Greenville High School, Tennessee, will run to gain experience in the event.
The unlimited class cars typically average more than 1,000 miles per gallon, and this year the field will seek to crack the 1,500 mpg barrier.
The students build their own cars under the supervision of a school faculty member. The students are responsible for the design and construction of the car and for raising all funds needed for the project. Briggs & Stratton Corp. furnishes the engines, but all other items must either be purchased by the team or donated by sponsors.
The major sponsors of the Super Mileage Challenge are Vincennes University, Lucas Oil Raceway Park, Purdue University School of Technology Education, Ball State University School of Technology and Gregg Steele and Jim Thompson.
The students learn not only the technical and scientific aspects of building a high mileage car, they also learn how to work as a team and solve complex problems.
To be eligible, each school must submit a detailed technical proposal covering all aspects of the design and construction of the car. Such things as aerodynamic drag, friction forces, braking forces and cornering forces must be calculated and discussed in detail. The proposal ensures the students are exposed to the scientific principles of high mileage as well as the technology of building the car.
The Challenge is held under the auspices of the IMSTEA, a non-profit, educational organization composed of teachers, administrators, business persons and concerned citizens. It is dedicated to improving the technological literacy and competence of Indiana’s citizens.
