Local students capture competition at EWU

By Bill Buley
staff writer

COEUR d'ALENE -- These guys really are a bunch of paper champions.

And they've got the trophies to show for it.

Two teams from the University of Idaho extension center at North Idaho College claimed victory Saturday in the annual Human Powered Paper Vehicle competition at Eastern Washington University.

The team of Dallan Pope, Cory Siverson, Mike Pufahl, and Allen Mikles took first-place in the vehicle performance category with their “Phat Boy” entry.

“We also wiped out Moscow, just wiped them out. That's the sweetest part,” Siverson said.

The team of Steve Ruzich, John Weilder, Kevin Lovoi and Keith Huber won in the vehicle presentation category with their “Team Vandalism” car.

They had to overcome 17 teams from eight colleges in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

“I think they worked real hard and I think that it paid off,” said Donald Blackketter, associate professor of mechanical engineering who oversaw the students efforts.

Each paper vehicle could weigh no more than 75 pounds of paper; up to 10 percent of the weight could be other materials.

Weidler said he, Ruzich and Huber made the presentation about their entry that weighed 50 pounds, explaining its design criteria and other details. The pedal-powered black beauty captured the judges' attention.

“We have 250 manhours into it,” Ruzich said.

Mikle's team used string, paper, cardboard tubes, boxes and a little bit of wood to build a 24 pound, three-wheeled car

With three drivers taking turns on the one-seat vehicle, they covered the 200-meter obstacle course in a record 2 minutes and 16 seconds.

It was their first year entering the event.

“We felt we had a definite chance,” Siverson said.

Team members credited their win to the lightweight design that held together.

Several other entries crumpled before reaching the finish line.

“We tried to keep it as simple as possible and it worked out for us,” Pope added.

Both teams are savoring their victories this week.

“That's a big deal for a little extension program,” Pope said.