The Eastern Electric Vehicle Club (EEVC), a chapter of the Electric Auto Association (EAA), has agreed to host a new alternative transportation event called the 21st Century Automotive Challenge, June 9-10 in Burlington County, New Jersey. The event website is http://www.eevc.info/2stcentautocomp.pdf.
Oliver Perry, a long-time participant in the Tour de Sol is responsible for organizing this new event. “The goal is to hold an event that is in the spirit of the NESEA Tour de Sol and to provide past Tour de Sol participants and volunteers an opportunity to carry on the Tour’s tradition”, Perry said. Perry and NESEA Executive Director David Barclay have worked out the agreement for the 2007 event.
NESEA has put its American Tour de Sol program on hold until 2008 while it examines options for NESEA’s transportation focus for and repositioning the event. For this year, NESEA has pledged to support the 21st Century Automotive Challenge by providing previous years’participant lists and equipment, and many Tour de Sol volunteers have already signed on.
The major emphasis of 21st Century Automotive Challenge will be real world competitiveperformances between battery-powered cars, hybrid cars, bio-diesel, and regular gasoline fueled cars. Solar assisted vehicles may also enter. The event will use as much of the Tour de Sol Rules and the traditional events and format as practical. Perry also hopes to add new activities for electric wheel chairs and three wheel electric scooters.
Saturday, June 9 Moving Competitions Burlington County Institute of Technology (BCIT)
Sunday, June 10 Vehicle Show Smithville Mansion at the Burlington County Earth Fair
Entry fees, deadlines for entry,and prize moneywill be announced. Entries will be on a first-come first-serve basis. The total number of entrants may be restricted to ensure a quality event. Anyone interested in competing in the event or volunteering please contact Oliver H. Perry at 609 268 0944 (home)or 609 922 7275 (cell) or at perrydap@aol.com.