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2003 BUV Design
Competition
The Third Annual 2003 Basic Utility Vehicle (BUV)
Competition was held on Saturday, May 18, in suitable typhoon-like
conditions. Eighteen BUVs and their student teams
endured the weather to compete on the demanding,
waterlogged course. The Canadians (Southern Alberta
Institute for Technology or SAIT) stole the show in
a front-wheel drive, rear steer BUV powered by an
8.5 hp Kohler engine. Along with a three-foot
trophy, they won many prizes from Indiana
businesses, including Indy 500 race tickets. The
Institute for Affordable Transportation (IAT)
sponsors the competition to facilitate the low-cost
development of a simple, appropriate vehicle for
building rural economies in the developing world.
The course was carefully
configured by IAT to represent the poor road
conditions common throughout the developing world.
The events were designed to simulate the rugged
terrain and the “worst case” conditions where these
“work” vehicles will serve. All vehicles were
loaded with sand to simulate a working load on all
events. Judges from companies such as Ford Motor
Company, Delphi, Cummins Engine, Rolls-Royce
Turbines, and Transnational Outdoor Power were
present to score the vehicles.
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