By HEATHER BAUGHMAN, Cresent-News Editor
(Printed June 13, 2008 Cresent-News)
baughman@crescent-news.com
It's a race to the finish line that will be won by a vehicle that achieves the energy equivalent of at least 100 miles per gallon.
Napoleon Horse Power Sales owner Doug Pelmear has accepted the challenge and will put his years of work to the test this weekend when he will demonstrate his car during the fifth annual Aeromotive NMRA Ford Nationals today through Sunday at Milan Dragway in Milan, Mich.
This weekend's event will be a test-run for Pelmear, who is one of 78 worldwide contestants to date to enter the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE, an automotive race that will take place next year. The goal of the competition, according to X PRIZE, "is to inspire a new generation of super-efficient vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change," benefit the world, result in real cars available for purchase, not concept cars, offer a level playing field that attracts both existing automobile manufacturers and newcomers and educate the public on key issues.
A total of $10 million in prizes will be awarded to the winner(s) who achieve, among other criteria, a fuel economy of at least 100 MPGe (miles per gallon energy equivalent), and greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle production must be no worse than typical vehicles in production today.
The Pelmear family has been working on improving automotive engines for decades, a challenge first tackled by Pelmear's grandfather back in the 1940s. "I'm not really using that design," Pelmear said, "but (this project has been) an ongoing thing with the family." Even Pelmear's dad was involved in the project, with all three generations recognizing "a need for a higher efficiency motor."
So far, Pelmear has sunk at least $1.4 million into patents alone for the vehicle, an investment that is worth it to him.
"Everybody looks at 100 mpg as impossible. It's not. It's possible," he said.
This weekend, Pelmear will be demonstrating his car at Milan Dragway "not for the X PRIZE," he said, "but to show everybody that the technology is out there" to run a car that achieves 100 MPGe.
"I'm doing my own testing," he said, noting that he has performed simulation testing on the car. "The track is where you test real world."
Those at the track can see Pelmear's car in action. "I wanted the general public to see it," to show the public that "there's a new concept."
Pelmear's car seats four people, weighs 2,850 pounds and has about a 300-cubic-inch engine.
Though it is currently housed in a Mustang, his engine was designed for larger automobiles. Pelmear said he understands that Americans "need that truck, SUV for our lifestyle."
On his quest to build a more fuel-efficient engine, Pelmear worked with Ford engineers who were testing his engine. Unfortunately, company cutbacks caused his engine testing to come to a stop.
"Everybody that was testing my engine retired" when the company started making cutbacks, Pelmear said. "That happened more than once," he said, which was quite disappointing. "It was like we're going to get somewhere with this ... and then it disappears."
Shortly after Ford stopped testing his engine, Pelmear heard about the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE on the "Today Show" and decided to check it out. "It is a testing type of race. It's not just me proving it and showing I can do it."
Late this year, a panel of expert judges will review applications and select teams to race their vehicles in the AXP Qualifying Race. Teams that successfully complete the qualifying race can then apply for the grand prize final race, which will be held in late 2009.
Two categories of vehicles, mainstream and alternative, will be judged. Pelmear's mainstream car will need to reach 0-60 miles per hour in less than 12 seconds, have a minimum top speed of 100 mph, drive a minimum of 200 miles, have room for four or more passengers, have 10 cubic feet of useful cargo space, and have everyday vehicle features such as heat, air conditioning, an audio system, an enclosed cabin, windshield wipers, safety belts, rear and side view mirrors, displays for speed, fuel remaining, etc., and exterior lights.
Assisting Pelmear with his goal are sponsors CIG Financial Services, Archbold; Southern Nevada Wholesale Sign Co., Las Vegas; Howards Cams, Oshkosh, Wis.; Americraft Carton Inc., Norwalk; Performance Ford Solutions, Anaheim, Calif.; JEGS High Performance Mail Order, Delaware; SolidWorks, Concord, Mass.; Fulton Industries Inc., Wauseon; and Rocket Ventures, Toledo.
His HP2g team also includes Mark Schnitkey of Defiance in business development; Jen Rodgers of Van Wert, who does marketing; Marcus Dull of Holgate, who does CAD and programming; Kevin Wilson of Wauseon, who helps with production; and Pelmear, who is the design engineer, along with "quite a few helpers."
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