SHELL ECO-MARATHON

RACING FOR FUEL EFFICIENCY

The Shell Eco-Marathon is an international hyper-mileage competition organized by the Shell Energy Company. University and high school teams from around the globe work to design, build and test the most fuel-efficient vehicles possible.

The competition is held at 3 locations world wide: the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Teams compete in 1 of 2 different design categories – Prototype and Urban Concept – and vehicles can run on 1 of 7 fuel types- Gasoline, Diesel, Ethanol, GTL, CNG, Battery Electric, and Hydrogen fuel cell.

SEM Detroit: 2017

My fourth year participating in the SEM was as a “mentor” to the team. However, that didn’t mean I couldn’t work on the car. I taught the new team members everything I knew about drivetrain design and engine building.

This was the first year using a gas-powered engine (instead of ethanol) and a chassis from the previous year. Nonetheless, many improvements were made to the entire vehicle for performance and reliability. It was a great final year in the “Motor City” of Detroit.

Vehicle Category: Urban Concept / Gasoline

Technical Inspection: Passed

Safety Inspection: Passed

Permitted to race on track?: Yes

Completed a full run of 10 laps?: Yes

Ranking: 7th Place in Category

SEM Detroit: 2016

Triumphant first attempt at building an Urban Concept vehicle, which is an undertaking that most teams complete in 2-3 years. This brand new vehicle design was built from the bottom up, and again included many repurposed parts.

I was responsible for combining 3 small custom prototype engines – that were donated by Honda Power Equipment – and tuned the final motor to run on 100% ethanol. The custom transmission integrated specially designed and 3D printed parts, and the system proved to be robust enough to manage the larger size of this 4-wheeled “road worthy” vehicle.

One of the hardest years of all, but also the most successful year by far.

Vehicle Category: Urban Concept / Ethanol

Technical Inspection: Passed

Safety Inspection: Passed

Permitted to race on track?: Yes

Completed a full run of 6 laps?: Yes

Ranking: 1st Place Finish in Category

SEM Detroit: 2015

A completely new vehicle for 2015 – Ethanol Prototype with a lightweight, innovative, and eye-catching design. Again, it was made from repurposed parts, but also with custom 3D-printed and machined parts I created for the drivetrain.

Add to that 4-days of being followed around by a film crew from LA and an interview on the track with Jay Leno, SEM 2015 in Detroit was an exiting and successful event.

Vehicle Category: Prototype / Ethanol

Technical Inspection: Passed

Safety Inspection: Passed

Permitted to race on track?: Yes

Completed a full run of 6 laps?: Yes

Ranking: top 10% in Category

SEM Houston: 2014

2014 was my first year competing in the Shell Eco-Marathon. Without any idea of just how challenging it would be, my brother and I were given a very basic prototype chassis to start building a vehicle. (Eventually, we created 3 different versions.) We had no garage, so built the car in our kitchen, at the team’s auto shop 3 hours away, or at the NCCAR test track 60 miles north. This was my introduction to the thrill of vehicle design and Shell’s amazing international event.

Ranking: As a first year team, getting through Technical and Safety Inspection is the success. Typically, less than half of the more than 100 teams get through inspections, which is what entitles a vehicle to get on the track. Then, less than 30% are able to complete all required laps. As rookies, we were pretty happy.

Vehicle Category: Prototype / Ethanol

Technical Inspection: Passed

Safety Inspection: Passed

Permitted to race on track?: Yes!

Completed a full run of 10 laps?: No