This is the second year in which we have incorporated the new bonus point system for vehicles which weigh less than 40 lbs or which use 5% or less non paper weight. This was also the highest vehicle breakdown percentage of any competition year. At this point it is not clear whether this is a case of causation or correlation. For now, we will leave the bonuses in place and see how things work out next year.

The winning teams this year did take advantage of the bonus system. Team Swift Fiber Stealth entered the lightest vehicle ever, weighing in at just under 23 lbs. While the time bonus for its low weight put it in first place, its raw race time of 2:33 would have made it competative in any previous competition year. Team Cardboard Junkies also entered a farely light vehicle, weighing in at just under 38 lbs. It actually had an even faster raw race time of 2:24, but with only half the weight bonus they ended up in second place.

Team “Swift Fiber Stealth”

I would like to thank all the students and faculty who made this year's competition such a great one. I also want to mention all the schools that sent teams:
Eastern Washington University, North Idaho College, Big Bend Community College, Geen River Community College, Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College.

If you are a student or faculty member and are looking into this competition for the first time, I hope you will consider joining us in the year 2000. For those of you who participated in our competition, I look forward to seeing you and your new designs.

Once again, thanks to all.
Sincerely
Keith Turpin