Meeting and Event Times

Clean Snowmobile Meeting

Date: Every Tuesday

Time: 7:00 PM

Place: Engineering Hall - Room 115

Clean Snowmobile Challenge

The SAE International Clean Snowmobile Challenge (CSC) is an engineering design competition for college and university student members that challenge engineering students to reengineer an existing snowmobile to reduce emissions and noise. Their modified snowmobiles will compete in a variety of events including emissions, noise, fuel economy/endurance, acceleration, handling, static display, cold start and design.

The CSC Rules Committee makes changes to the competition each year to keep the competition fresh and to present new engineering challenges. CSC is primarily an "engine" competition however the underlying theme has remained consistent to engineer a clean and quiet trail sled. Current trail sleds are engineered to these standards, but it is possible to achieve more. Noise levels can be reduced and cleaner fuels can lead to lower emissions.

2009 Clean Snowmobile Team

Team Picture

2008 Clean Snowmobile Challenge Achivements

3rd Place Finish Overall
100 Mile Endurance Completion
Team Safety
Overall Handling
Most Improved
Cold Start

Hisitory of UWP Clean Snowmobile Team

In 2003, the competition moved from Wyoming to Michigan. The organizer
concentrated on organizing the sponsors and the community to make the event successful in Michigan. Few changes were made to the rules and the control sled was a Polaris 2-stroke. We labeled 2003, “the move to Michigan.” In 2004, the control sled was changed to an Arctic Cat 660 4-stroke for the first time and we labeled this year “raising the bar.”

Top Finishes

2009 7th Place
2008 3rd Place
2004 6th Place
2006 7th Place

Previous Snowmobiles

2002 Formula III
2003 Polairs Edge
2006 Polaris Race
2008 Rev-XP

In 2005, the control sled was again a 2-stroke, one that proved to be clean, quiet and comfortable, a Ski-Doo GSX Sport 600. We labeled this year “the return of the 2-stroke. In 2006 the goal was to “beat the standards” both the EPA 2012 emission standards and the industry self-imposed SAE J 192 noise standard. In 2007, we dubbed the Challenge “the move to E85” as a bonus was given for using E85 (high ethanol fuel).

Competition Objective for IC Engines

The intent of the competition is to develop a snowmobile that is acceptable for use in environmentally sensitive areas such as our National Parks or other pristine areas. The modified snowmobiles are expected to be quiet, and emit significantly less unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide than current production snowmobiles, without significantly increasing oxides of nitrogen emissions. The modified snowmobiles are also expected to be cost-effective and comfortable for the operator to drive. The intent of the competition is to design a touring snowmobile that will primarily be ridden on groomed snowmobile trails. The use of unreliable, expensive solutions is strongly discouraged! Modern snowmobiles are engineered to meet the current standards for noise and emissions. Teams are expected to add innovative solutions for improving on the performance of the base sled that they start with. Design judges (written and oral) will be looking for innovations and incorporating that into their scores.

The minimum performance expectations for a trail IC snowmobile are set by these rules as a sled that by design will go 100 miles without refueling and can attain a trail speed of 45 miles per hour on a smooth trail. Additionally they should be able to traverse 500 feet in 12 seconds or less. Designs that do not have a reasonable expectation of achieving these requirements will be allowed to compete only on an "Exhibition" basis.