School teams to compete in cross country MPG Challenge - Possible $1,000,000 prize

[ericbecky]

Hi guys,
As promised in my earlier post, here is some information about the latest MPG Challenge we are presenting to competitors.

When: August 14 - 23, 2008

Where: New York to San Francisco

What: Hybridfest and Great Race have partnered together to bring you a cross country MPG Challenge. We are looking for Colleges and Universities to compete in the Great Race MPG Challenge New York to San Francisco.

Why: The MPG Challenge was created to bring colleges and universities together in a friendly competition with a higher goal – to fuel the development of super-efficient, high-mileage cars and encourage all of us to squeeze as much as we can from the cars we currently drive.

Participation: Any team representing a college, university or trade school can compete. Students, faculty alumni and even commercial partners are encouraged to work together and compete for their school (or alma mater).

The Competition: The Great Race MPG Challenge puts teams in Toyota Prius hybrid-electric vehicles to produce optimum fuel economy under real world conditions. The first team that reaches the finish line with the highest average mpg wins. And if they achieve the ultimate goal of 100 mpg, they'll receive the $1,000,000 Great Race Innovation Prize for their school's scholarship fund.

Costs: It depends on how creative you are. Competition expenses can easily be covered through fundraising or those corporate sponsorships. Corporate Sponsorship can be applied towards your costs, as long as you make it very clear to your sponsors where the money is going. The MPG Challenge isn't a cheap program to run and we want to keep the costs low for the schools, so we will have sponsors to help subsidize your participation. Entry fee for the school's team is $5,000.

You can learn more and register at http://mpgchallenge.greatrace.com, and receive the formal announcements and program details

[SVOboy]

Wow, totally interesting...I still need to call you tonight,

[Ryland]

I'm tempted to go to collage.
So they are all using the same base vehicle, a Toyota Prius? sounds like it will be fun.

[ericbecky]

Originally Posted by Ryland

I'm tempted to go to collage.
So they are all using the same base vehicle, a Toyota Prius? sounds like it will be fun.

You do not need to be in college to go. You just need to link up with someone at the school and get them to allow you to represent the school.

Students, faculty, alumni and even commercial partners are encouraged to work together and compete for their school (or alma mater).

[SVOboy]

I'm working on putting together a team right now and thinking about sponsors,

[MD2000]

Sounds interesting.
I may have mis read the rules, but from what I see, I have a few questions?

It seems that by limiting the competition to toyota prius, with no drive train modifications, you are limiting what can be done on the hardware end.
I dont believe the original great race had any hardware limits?

Your not allowing for the many the creative ways that the schools may figure out to make the drive train more efficient.

First to the finish with the highest MPG, with no speed factor compensation, will mean that if you drive really slow with P&G, and arrive with 100 mpg you will win over people that drive at a real world speed and arrive two days sooner with say 80-90 mpg.
Where is the real world aspect here?
Just my 2 cents.

[SVOboy]

Hey eric, could you clear up for me what happens with the prius after the competition. There's a little confusion on my end on whether the school gets to keep it or not.

Thanks!

[Bob64]

Argh! I'd love to join as a driver, except I'm not sure I can handle the organization/funding as well as taking a week off of work :/

Plus not sure my college is looking to join

[ericbecky]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Hey eric, could you clear up for me what happens with the prius after the competition. There's a little confusion on my end on whether the school gets to keep it or not.

Thanks!

At this point the regulations do not state that the cars are provided by the organizers or sponsors. So I guess it would be up to the owner of the Prius used in the competition.

The web site currently states:

The entry fee for each team includes--
* Access to the Team Only Travel Service. As the route is up to you and subject to constant change, we can take care of your bookings at the Start and Finish only.
* Full services of the Competition Management Staff, scoring results and rankings.
* Integrated customizable team website.
* Event Liability Insurance.
* Event decals and number plates.
* Event celebrations, prizes and awards.

[SVOboy]

Thank for clearing everything up for me,