To find the future of the auto industry, Doug Pelmear looked to the past.

The Napoleon mechanic says he's perfected an engine developed by his grandfather 60-years ago--an engine that gives his 1987 mustang 110-miles to the gallon.

"My grandfather had the idea back in the 40's that he can make a difference then," Pelmear says, "There was quite a need at that time also with the war going on and everything, there was quite the need then." And quite a need now.

So, Pelmear says, he wants to market his invention to save the U.S. auto industry.

"This'll bring back the automotive industry when they can sell trucks and SUVs' and the models that are almost dead at this time," Pelmear says. And the Mustang is no slacker, either. Pelmear says it goes 0-60mph in a neck snapping three seconds, and has a top speed of about 180 m.p.h.

"Even those of us who grew up in the muscle car age, this will pretty much blow your muscle car away," developer Mark Schnitkey says with a grin.

While Pelmear won't let us look under the hood, he says the technology can easily be applied to smaller engines for even better gas mileage. He's entering the car in the prestigious Progressive Automotive X competition; a race where inventors from around the world compete for the best mileage with a car that is the most marketable. Pelmear says, his technology is very marketable because it will allow people to drive large cars and SUV's without sacrificing gas mileage.

It's a race to the finish line that will be won by a vehicle that achieves the energy equivalent of at least 100 miles per gallon.

Napoleon Horse Power Sales owner Doug Pelmear has accepted the challenge and will put his years of work to the test this weekend when he will demonstrate his car during the fifth annual Aeromotive NMRA Ford Nationals today through Sunday at Milan Dragway in Milan, Mich.

This weekend's event will be a test-run for Pelmear, who is one of 78 worldwide contestants to date to enter the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE, an automotive race that will take place next year. The goal of the competition, according to X PRIZE, "is to inspire a new generation of super-efficient vehicles that help break our addiction to oil and stem the effects of climate change," benefit the world, result in real cars available for purchase, not concept cars, offer a level playing field that attracts both existing automobile manufacturers and newcomers and educate the public on key issues.

A total of $10 million in prizes will be awarded to the winner(s) who achieve, among other criteria, a fuel economy of at least 100 MPGe (miles per gallon energy equivalent), and greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle production must be no worse than typical vehicles in production today.

The Pelmear family has been working on improving automotive engines for decades, a challenge first tackled by Pelmear's grandfather back in the 1940s. "I'm not really using that design," Pelmear said, "but (this project has been) an ongoing thing with the family." Even Pelmear's dad was involved in the project, with all three generations recognizing "a need for a higher efficiency motor."

So far, Pelmear has sunk at least $1.4 million into patents alone for the vehicle, an investment that is worth it to him.

"Everybody looks at 100 mpg as impossible. It's not. It's possible," he said.

This weekend, Pelmear will be demonstrating his car at Milan Dragway "not for the X PRIZE," he said, "but to show everybody that the technology is out there" to run a car that achieves 100 MPGe.

"I'm doing my own testing," he said, noting that he has performed simulation testing on the car. "The track is where you test real world."

Those at the track can see Pelmear's car in action. "I wanted the general public to see it," to show the public that "there's a new concept."

Pelmear's car seats four people, weighs 2,850 pounds and has about a 300-cubic-inch engine.

Though it is currently housed in a Mustang, his engine was designed for larger automobiles. Pelmear said he understands that Americans "need that truck, SUV for our lifestyle."

On his quest to build a more fuel-efficient engine, Pelmear worked with Ford engineers who were testing his engine. Unfortunately, company cutbacks caused his engine testing to come to a stop.

"Everybody that was testing my engine retired" when the company started making cutbacks, Pelmear said. "That happened more than once," he said, which was quite disappointing. "It was like we're going to get somewhere with this ... and then it disappears."

Shortly after Ford stopped testing his engine, Pelmear heard about the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE on the "Today Show" and decided to check it out. "It is a testing type of race. It's not just me proving it and showing I can do it."

Late this year, a panel of expert judges will review applications and select teams to race their vehicles in the AXP Qualifying Race. Teams that successfully complete the qualifying race can then apply for the grand prize final race, which will be held in late 2009.

Two categories of vehicles, mainstream and alternative, will be judged. Pelmear's mainstream car will need to reach 0-60 miles per hour in less than 12 seconds, have a minimum top speed of 100 mph, drive a minimum of 200 miles, have room for four or more passengers, have 10 cubic feet of useful cargo space, and have everyday vehicle features such as heat, air conditioning, an audio system, an enclosed cabin, windshield wipers, safety belts, rear and side view mirrors, displays for speed, fuel remaining, etc., and exterior lights.

Assisting Pelmear with his goal are sponsors CIG Financial Services, Archbold; Southern Nevada Wholesale Sign Co., Las Vegas; Howards Cams, Oshkosh, Wis.; Americraft Carton Inc., Norwalk; Performance Ford Solutions, Anaheim, Calif.; JEGS High Performance Mail Order, Delaware; SolidWorks, Concord, Mass.; Fulton Industries Inc., Wauseon; and Rocket Ventures, Toledo.

His HP2g team also includes Mark Schnitkey of Defiance in business development; Jen Rodgers of Van Wert, who does marketing; Marcus Dull of Holgate, who does CAD and programming; Kevin Wilson of Wauseon, who helps with production; and Pelmear, who is the design engineer, along with "quite a few helpers."

Original article reprinted with permission of the Crescent News

A small Napoleon company is competing against teams of designers from around the world for a chance at one of the biggest prizes ever offered, as well as helping the environment.

Horse Power Sales has officially entered the Progressive Auto X Prize, a contest sponsored by Progressive Auto Insurance and the X Foundation which offers $10 million in prizes to teams that design a new generation of viable, super fuel efficient vehicles. The goal is to design, build and bring to market a vehicle that can travel the energy equivalent of 100 miles per gallon (mpge). As of March 20 (2008), 60 international teams had entered the contest, and Monday Horse Power Sales also entered.

"This really goes back to my father and grandfather," said Horse Power owner Doug Pelmear. "They designed an engine in the 1940's, but their engine wouldn't work with the technology of the time so it got passed to me."

Pelmear already has designed the Valley Girdle, which he said reduces fuel consumption by 5 percent. That has been just one piece in developing the current engine his company is working on now. He was working on the engine before the contest was announced as a way to help the planet and consumers.

"With the rising costs of fuel, I'm looking at it and saying we need this now," Pelmear said.

His prototype will be on display June 14 at Milan Dragway in Milan, Mich. He said he has tested the vehicle in the wind tunnels, but the test at Milan will be its first real-world test. Pelmear also pointed out his vehicle isn't something that will only allow one person to get from place to place.

"We're not looking at a one or two-person vehicle, but something that carries four people with some creature comforts," Pelmear said. "Our vehicle is the heaviest in the competition right now, it weighs 2,600 pounds."

He added the next heaviest is about 1,500 pounds.

The fuel he selected to run his vehicle is also practical.

"The fuel I chose is E-85 (an ethanol blend) because it's available on the market now," Pelmear said. "It is a resource that has grown."

Pelmear said he has sunk about $1.4 million into the project so far and added patents can be very expensive. Also, the parts are custom made just for this engine and the price of metal and shipping are adding more and more to the cost. Still, Pelmear has made sure all parts are made in the United States, sticking to a promise he made to supporters. "I know I could go outside the United States to get parts made cheaper, but I want to keep it here and hopefully it will help the economy," Pelmear said.

The local project has received sponsorship from CIG Financial Services of Archbold and Jegs High Performance Mail Order of Columbus according to Pelmear. His team is comprised of himself, Jen Rodgers of Van Wert, Mark Schnitkey of Defiance and Kevin Wilson of Wauseon.

The X Foundation previously awarded $10 million to Burt Rutan, who built and flew the world's first private vehicle to space. The foundation is creating prize competitions in five areas, exploration, life sciences, energy and environment, education and global development.

Deadline to enter the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize is mid 2008. Applicants will then undergo a thorough qualification process to assess safety, cost, features and business plans to ensure that only production-capable, consumer-friendly cars compete. Those that qualify will race their vehicles in rigorous cross-country stage races in 2009 and 2010 that combine speed, distance, urban driving and overall performance. The winners will be vehicles that exceed 100 mpge, meet strict emission standards and finish in the fastest time. Host cities involved in the competition route will be announced in the future.

E-mail comments to briank@northwestsignal.net

On the Net:

www.progressiveautoxprize.org

www.horsepowersales.net

Original article reprinted with permission of the Northwest Signal

Notice: United States Patent Issue Notification for Engine Block Component Brace : Patent # 7,258,094 ( Valley Girdle™, Valley Girdle Pro™ )

Copyright, 2008. HorsepowerSales.net All Rights Reserved.

Notice: United States Patent Issue Notification for Engine Block Component Brace : Patent # 7,258,094 ( Valley Girdle™, Valley Girdle Pro™ )

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