Eco car goes further

University team strive to find world's most fuel-efficient vehicle

A team of researchers from the University's Cavendish Laboratory took part in the Shell Eco-marathon World Championships held at Rockingham Motor Speedway Ciruit, near Corby, on Saturday, 23 June, 2001. The competition was established in the 1970s and is designed to discover the world's most fuel-efficient vehicle. Teams have to race their car over 10 miles, inside a strict time limit, using the minimum amount of fuel possible.

Cambridge's Team Crocodile have been taking part in such events for several years and were hoping for an improved performance this weekend after completely rebuilding their car to make it lighter, more streamlined, and even more fuel-efficient. Their hard work was rewarded with a fuel consumption of 2,821 miles per gallon, an 820 mile improvement on their performance in the last Eco-marathon World Championship. They came fifth out of British teams competing, and sixth overall (last time they came 13th and 30th, respectively).

Rick Balsod, who designed and built the car, explained the technology behind their success:

"We've made major improvements to this year's model. It has a much more aerodynamic shape - the car's frontal area is now only 3.8sq ft, compared to 7.8sq ft last year, and the wheels are outside the body, which also makes the overall shape much slimmer. We have made the base and the body with materials used in the aircraft industry, which makes it much lighter - this year's version weighs just 50kgs, compared to 75kgs last year."

The car has cost over £2,000 in materials, and has been built by the dedicated team outside working hours.

Throughout the year, the team use the car for education purposes. It is exhibited during National Science Week and at the annual Physics at Work event, when school-children are invited to the Cavendish Laboratory.

"We're delighted with the result and hope that this success will set a really good example to other schools thinking about entering the competition," said Rik.

The Cavendish team also includes Alan Chapman, another researcher at the laboratory, and Alan's 11-year-old son, Mark, who drove the car in the competition.

Team Crocodile would like to thank the following companies and individuals, which have generously supported the project:
Hexcel Composites Ltd.; Vantico Ltd.; Perma Bowl Ltd.; Fothergill Engineered Fabrics Ltd.; Securon Ltd.; MBE Systems Ltd.; Abrey Bearings Ltd.; Simpers of Cambridge; Talon Engineering; Andrew McCulloch; and Cavendish Laboratory staff, colleagues and friends for advice and help.