Good Gas Mileage? How Does a Few Thousand MPG Sound?

MARSHALL, Mich., June 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the cost of fuel prices constantly in the headlines, collegiate teams in SAE International's SupermileageŽ competition could be the envy of many drivers. Their vehicles can achieve nearly 2,000 miles per gallon. These vehicles will be featured in the event to be held June 10-11 at the Eaton Corporation Marshall Proving Grounds in Marshall, Mich.

Hosted by Eaton Corporation since its inception nearly 30 years ago as a way to generate public awareness in the area of fuel economy, the SupermileageŽ competition offers a simple yet challenging goal: to build a one-person, fuel-efficient vehicle based around a small, four-cycle engine. (Engines are donated by Briggs & Stratton). In this event, competitors don't race against the clock or to a checkered flag, but, rather, the highest miles per gallon over the 9.6 mile course wins the event.

More than 30 collegiate teams are entered in this year's competition. Defending champion for the competition is Laval Universite (Quebec City, Quebec, Canada) at 1,804 mpg.

  Event schedule:

  Thursday, June 10
  10 a.m. - Technical inspection opens in truck garage

1 p.m. - Track opens for practice for vehicles approved through technical inspection only

  4 p.m. - Track closes for practice
  4:30 p.m. - Technical inspection closes

  Friday, June 11
  9 a.m. - Vehicle runs begin on track
  5 p.m. - Last vehicle run begins

  Press credentials can be obtained by emailing pr@sae.org.

Supermileage is part of SAE International's Collegiate Design Series(TM). Other competitions in the series include Baja SAEŽ, Clean Snowmobile Challenge(TM), Formula SAEŽ and Aero DesignŽ. SAE International's Collegiate Design Series(TM) and A World In MotionŽ curriculum won the National Science Foundation's prestigious 2008 Public Service Award.

Eaton's partnership with SAE in Supermileage stems from its expansive portfolio of automotive products that deliver enhanced fuel economy ratings by improving overall and specific system efficiencies. The company also has a strong commitment to encouraging young engineers to pursue careers in the automotive industry.

SAE International is a global association of more than 128,000 engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive and commercial-vehicle industries. SAE International's core competencies are life-long learning and voluntary consensus standards development. SAE International's charitable arm is the SAE Foundation, which supports many programs, including A World In MotionŽ and the Collegiate Design Series.

- www.sae.org -

Contacts: Shawn Andreassi, SAE International, at pr@sae.org or 1-724-772-8522.

Dick Pacini, The Millerschin Group, dpacini@millerschingroup.com or 248-276-1970/ cell: 248-770-6446