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2003 BUV Design
Competition
previous
 The
favorite events this year were the Mud Pit and the
Obstacle Course. These events tested both vehicle
and driver skill. The Mud Pit included two
circuits of deep ruts with mud up to 15” deep. Very
few vehicles made it through both circuits without
problem. The University of Missouri BUV (3rd
place overall) won the event using a rear
wheel-drive configuration and a 10 hp Briggs &
Stratton. As vehicles got stuck, the spectators
enjoyed watching the drivers’ teammates push the
lightweight vehicles (500 lb target weight) to
freedom. Sometimes they had to be “rescued” by a
4wd ATV.
The Obstacle Course
included logs, ditches, four foot moguls, rocks,
drops, “frame twisters”, ruts, rain, and of course
mud. The Canadians (SAIT) and the Milwaukee School
of Engineering (MSOE) showed the benefits of solid
axle, front-wheel drive when hitting sizeable
obstacles. Their vehicle tended to “climb” over the
obstacles.
Other events included the Endurance Test, Swamp Crossing, the Hill climb,
Acceleration Test, Agility Course, Oral Report, and
the Creek Crossing (cancelled due to water depth).
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (2nd place
overall) scored well in all the events and utilized
a design based on recycled automotive parts.
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