Transportation

NESEA invites everyone with a practical vehicle that fits into one of the categories listed below, that wishes to test their mettle and showcase their vehicle to the general public, decision makers and the press, to enter the event. NESEA accepts only 50 vehicles, based on a first-come first-serve basis that meets our published criteria. Additional entries are invited to participate in the Demonstration category, offering static displays and test-drives in production and pre-production prototype vehicles. So don’t delay! Fill in the pre-registration and registration forms today. (Early registration discount available until January 1. Final registration deadline March 7, 2001)

NEW VEHICLE CATEGORIES
A new system of "categorizing" vehicles will help NESEA honor the accomplishments of the many types of new and exciting clean and efficient vehicle technologies and fuels.
There are four vehicle categories: Batter-electric Vehicles (BEV), Hybrid and Renewably fueled vehicles (HEV, ICE or fuel cell), Solar, and Hydrogen Fueled Vehicles. Each category will be divided into three classes: Light-duty, heavy-duty and One-Person. And each category and class will be divided into two divisions: Production and Prototype (student and one-of-a-kind vehicles.) An additional category, the Demonstration category, is for vehicles being showcased, but not competing.

SCORING AND PRIZES
Teams will earn points for daily reliability, long distance reliability (range), acceleration, handling, hill climbing, efficiency (fuel economy), and Global Warming Potential.
"Best in Category" prizes will be awarded as appropriate. For example, in the Battery-Electric category, there will be a prize for the best vehicle using lead acid batteries, and the best vehicle using advanced batteries. Additional prizes will be awarded for best acceleration, best handling, best hill climbing ability, best BEV range, most efficient vehicle (wh/mile and wh/mile divided by "vehicle capacity."), Greenest Vehicles, Most Consumer Acceptable Production vehicle as judged by the media.

GE OFFERS FREE METERS
General Electric (GE) is offering five AC meters (#744x200001 or #744X400001) to student teams entering the NESEA American Tour de Sol on a first-come first-serve basis. They are also offering a special discount on these meters to all entrants.
GE is offering these meters to encourage vehicle efficiency and new student entries. Efficiency and Green vehicle prizes will based on data collected by these meters, which are required for all teams.
To qualify for a free meter, you must fully register for the NESEA Tour and indicate your interest in a free meter. To order a GE meter see the NESEA Tour Rules book or contact Hialeah Meter Company at 800-521-9925.

NEW PRIZE - BIODIESEL!
The National Biodiesel Board is offering a $1,000 prize for the top placing vehicle in the NESEA Tour using Biodiesel. The prize is to encourage entrants to use biodiesel, and to raise awareness about biodiesel as a domestic fuel.
"We’re excited to be part of such a high-profile educational program" said Jenna Higgins, director of communications for the National Biodiesel board. "Biodiesel is a clean-burning fuel that can be made from any fat or oil, such as soybean oil. It is ten times less toxic than table salt and as biodegradable as sugar. It can be used by any traditional or hybrid-electric vehicle that uses diesel fuel."

TEAMS ASKED TO BRING SPOKESPEOPLE AND RACE ASSISTANTS
Public education is a major focus of the NESEA Tour, so we ask that entrants have a public relations person on their team who develops and implements a public relations plan and that they bring a spokesperson or train team members to be spokespeople at the event. NESEA also asks that each team bring one person (race assistant) to work with NESEA staff during the event on logistics and educational activities. Assistance from teams helps keep registration fees low, and enhances the safety and quality of the event.