UW-Madison will host human-powered vehicle challenge

The University of Wisconsin–Madison this weekend will host the 25th annual American Society of Mechanical Engineers Human Powered Vehicle Challenge.

Held April 25-27, the event will draw more than 250 participants representing approximately 30 teams from around the country. One team hails from Venezuela.

Human powered vehicles (HPVs) are aerodynamic bicycle-type vehicles custom-designed by college engineering students. As an eco-friendly alternative form of transportation, HPVs are designed for speed, endurance or all-around performance.

The competition consists of three races, as well as a technical presentation and a high school design competition. The sprint race is 100 meters-and all about speed; in the past, some HPVs have gone as fast as 60 mph. The endurance race is 65 kilometers around a 1 kilometer circuit and riders are relieved every 5 kilometer.

The UW–Madison bike is especially designed to compete in the third race, the utility race. Riders make multiple laps around a 1 kilometer course full of obstacles. On each lap, the vehicles navigate a slalom, hairpin-turn, S-turn and ramp. They also drive over a 2×4 and pick up or drop a simulated bag of groceries.

Most of the vehicles will be leg powered, but the UW–Madison bike will be powered by the driver’s hands and arms.

The competition is open to the public, and each day the events are held in different locations in the Madison area.

• Vehicle display and design presentations. Friday April 25, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Monona Terrace, One John Nolen Drive, Madison.
• 100 meter sprint race. Saturday, April 26, 8 a.m.-noon, Sauk Prairie Airport, Prairie du Sac.
• 10 kilometer utility race. Saturday, April 26, 1:30-4 p.m., Sauk Prairie Airport, Prairie du Sac.
• 65 kilometer endurance relay. Sunday April 27, UW–Madison Lot 60, 8:30 a.m.-noon.