The Kettering University SAE Clean Snowmobile team took second place in the Internal Combustion category for the second year in a row at the 2013 Clean Snowmobile Challenge March 4-9 at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Mich.

As one of 21 teams, Kettering also claimed the PCB Group Award for Quietest Snowmobile, Sensors, Inc. Award for best In-Service Emissions, and Mahle Powertrain Award for Engine Design.

“We had a great, successful SAE CSC competition for the second year in a row,” said team captain Matt Birt. “It was a very close battle, but we are happy with the results and excited to be pit neighbors next year with the guys from Madison,” he added.

“I am very proud of the team,” said faculty adviser Dr. Greg Davis, professor of Mechanical Engineering. “Not only did they put in a great competitive effort, but they helped other teams along the way.”

“The top three finishing teams were neck and neck the entire week,” said Davis, adding, “the outcome could have easily gone our way!  Second place is still fantastic, especially when you consider that the teams competing with us generally have graduate students assigned to the project on a full time basis,” he added.

Birt said the team was happy to receive awards for the quietest snowmobile, lowest in-service emissions and the best engine design, as well as placing first in the design presentation, in-service emissions and noise, with second place wins in fuel economy, lab emissions, brake specific fuel consumption and in-service fuel economy. The Kettering team also had the lightest snowmobile at the competition according to Birt.

The purpose of the SAE Collegiate Design Series competition is to engineer a sled that has reduced emissions and noise and increased fuel efficiency while preserving the riding excitement demanded by snowmobile enthusiasts.

The Snow Dogs include:
Matt Birt, of Urbana, Ohio,
Michael Cox, of Casa Grande, Ariz.,
Alex Ripstein, of Cowlesville, New York,
Matt VanOeveren, of Grand Rapids, Mich.
Clint Lee, senior lab technician in Mechanical Engineering and
Dr. Greg Davis, professor .

Event results provided by Michigan Technological University.