2018 Shell Eco Marathon Conclusion

The 2018 Shell Eco Marathon provided all participants with an amazing experience. We were fortunate enough to compete with 2 cars this year. Our older prototype car completed the rigorous 128 point inspection process on the first day. For example, only 30 out of 36 cars were able to complete this process. Only 21 out of 36 cars were able to complete the 7 laps. This is a huge accomplishment in itself. Then we were able to complete 3 of 5 runs. The 2 failed attempts were battery and starting issues.

We increased our mileage about 150 mpg from last year. This gave us our highest finish in the SEM. We placed 14th out of 36 in the internal combustion engine (ICE) prototype car group. For example, to show how difficult it is to complete a run only, 41 cars were able to complete runs out of the 69 in the prototype car class. We spent about 12 or 14 hours each day at the track starting at 6am.

This year we also entered our new Urban Concept car in the ICE group for the first time. It’s pretty amazing that we were even able to complete that build in 7 months. This car also completed the 128 points of inspection early on the second day of inspections. 18 out of 19 Urban Concept cars passed inspection. 11 Cars were able to complete the 7 lap process. Unfortunately, we were unable to complete this process. This is when our challenges began.

First, the positive power wire connection broke, killing the car on lap 3. Our method of attaching the clutch to the crankshaft gave us our next problem. We broke the threaded end off the crankshaft under acceleration. We problem solved and acquired a roll pin and a chopped up allen wrench. We drilled and pined the clutch to the shaft. This only worked for a few hundred feet. The centrifugal force threw the pin out. So, back to the drawing board we went. Again, disassembling the drive train, we drilled all the way through the clutch and crankshaft and wired the roll pin in using some leftover safety wire.

We hit the track again, only to suspect the wire and the roll pin caused problems in the clutch which caused it to heat excessively and lock up. On the mandatory stop at the start finish line, ironically, lap 3 problems presented itself again. When our driver started the car, the extra draw of amps trying to start the car while the clutch engaged rocking the car forward blew the main fuse. With only minutes remaining, we were unable to diagnose the problem and get back through the fueling process to try one last attempt.

Despite it all, I am super proud of how our team performed in the competition. We will address the issues we had and perfect a few other areas and be back next year with the urban concept and probably a new prototype car. Thanks to the students for all their efforts and parents who went for all their assistance from transportation, getting food, supervision, advice on a numerous issues, and the priceless time with family and friends. Last of all, I would like to thank our very important sponsors listed below that allowed our team (also listed below) for this incredible experience along with the news media for their coverage of our journey.

Sponsors:Duke Energy , Stark Industries, Vectren, Peabody, Vigo County Education Foundation, Toyota of Terre Haute, Peffley and Hinshaw, Commercial Radio Services , CSN, Sycamore Engineering, ProGlide Bearings, Vigo Machine, Myers Engineering, Bailey Chassis, and Adams Complete Auto Repair

Team Members:

Caleb Chandler , Devin Spurgin, Devon Hunt, Douglas Dillion, Dylan Beasley, Grant Ward, Josh Clinkenbeard, Levi Jones , Maverick Magill, and Trevor Burger

Faculty Advisors, Administrator, and Parent Chaperones

Dana Thompson,Gregg Dillion, Doug Dillion, Rick Burger, Scott Chandler, and Terry & Alisha Clinkenbeard

Here is just a few pics of the tirp