ULTIMATE MPG VEHICLE CONTEST RULES
Purpose?
For Industrial Technology students to design and build a high mileage vehicle to compete with other
schools from around the state at the Iowa Industrial Technology Exposition.
What Happens?
Each school will design and build a vehicle or vehicles according to the rules and regulations
provided. At the time of the contest, each entry will be allotted a measured amount of fuel to be added
after all fuel lines are drained at the carburetor. The route will be run on a designated hard surface
course until the: vehicle runs out of fuel, vehicle is unable to compete, or the allocated contest time
expires.
Mileage will be computed by the formula: MPG=course distance/fuel consumed
NOTE: No modifications to increase carburetor fuel bowl capacity will be allowed.
Registration
All qualified competition vehicles must be registered online by May 1st to ensure adequate judging
availability and contest preparation.
Contest Requirements:
Weight
1. Vehicle – No minimum or maximum.
Maneuverability
1. Each vehicle must have a steering geometry capable of a 35 ft. maximum inside turning radius.
2. Drivers must have adequate visibility to avoid collision with other vehicles and maintain course
direction.
Speed
1. Max – 20 MPH
2. Min – 10 MPH average speed
Tires
1. Minimum of three load bearing tires.
2. Ni requirements on size.
Engine
1. Size – No minimum or maximum.
2. Type – 2 or 4 cycle.
Fuel tank and fuel
1. Tank must be a minimum of 1 pint capacity.
2. Tank must be conveniently located and equipped with an easily accessible drain valve at
bottom of tank.
3. All push-on fuel line fittings must be clamped.
4. Pressurized tanks will not be allowed.
5. Sole source of energy is fuel provided by the Iowa Technology Expo.
A. Ethanol Regular Unleaded
B. Ethanol Unleaded 2-Stroke Mix (mix 32 to 1 ratio). Oil provided by contestant.
C. Diesel
6. Vehicle must start from a dead stop under its own power.
7. Batteries may be carried on each vehicle, but are limited to starting systems and
instrumentation. The sole source of vehicle propulsion must be from the engine.
8. All vehicles will receive 8 ounces of fuel. If you use mix fuel at a 32 to 1 ratio, you may elect to
use non mix fuel and add your own lubrication oil, up to ½ ounce.
CONTEST REQUIREMENTS
Safety Equipment
1. Driver must wear a helmet.
2. Vehicle must be equipped with a kill switch and a minimum 3-point seat belt for the driver.
3. Brakes must stop the vehicle within 100 feet at 20 MPH.
4. All moving power train components must be guarded from accidental breakage or body contact.
5. Vehicle must be equipped with a rear-view mirror.
6. Each pit crew must be equipped with an easily accessible multipurpose AC dry chemical fire
extinguisher, Rating No. 1A 10BC or equivalent.
7. A wall of steel or aluminum material of 0.032 inch minimum thickness must separate the driver
from the engine and the vehicle must have a roll bar.
8. Adequate side protection consisting of tubing and/or sheet metal must protect the driver from
side impacts.
9. The driver must be able to quickly exit the vehicle within 10 seconds, unassisted, in case of
emergency.
10. Vehicle integrity and driver competency will be the responsibility of the supervising teacher.
Documentation
Plans should include:
1. Two sets in 8½ x 11 format, one copy to be kept by the judges.
2. Basic vehicle configuration: General arrangement, physical dimensions and location of
components.
3. Cost estimate and bill of materials.
4. Engine: Type, make, model and modifications made.
5. Photo documentation to consist of vehicle construction including; frame construction, drive
train assembly, steering assembly, brakes (and components), body shell (or skin).
6. Cars must be constructed entirely during the school year of the competition. (Aug - May)
7. Any vehicles from previous year's competitions will not be allowed to compete.
RACE-DAY RULES
1. Maximum speed 20 MPH.
2. Pit stops are for mechanical breakdowns. Go to the track outfield with the driver to stay in the
vehicle and a maximum of two support people (pit crew) to repair the car. Limited to 2 stops per
team - maximum combined time of 30 minutes. (15 minutes per stop or 30 minutes total)
3. All other crew members and spectators are to stay behind the yellow pit line.
4. No parking or pits along the track straightaway. All pits must be located at east or we st ends of
the track.
ALTERNATIVE FUEL/EXHIBITION/EXPERIMENTAL CLASS
For those wanting to design and build or modify a vehicle or vehicles powered by an alternative fuel,
combination of fuels, or of an experimental nature, an exhibition class will be available. Vehicles
running in the exhibition class must conform to the contest requirements for the following categories:
weight, maneuverability, speed, tires, engine, fuel tank, safety and documentation. We would also
encourage vehicles in the exhibition class to be entered in the Problem Solving classification division
as well. All alternative fuels to be provided by the contestant.