It's been an exciting week for three female engineering interns at the Bonneville Salt Flats. 19-year-old Heather Chemistruck of Virginia Tech
University, 21-year-old Lauren Zimmer from Purdue University and 21-year-old Sandra Saldivar of New Mexico State University converted a Chevrolet Cobalt SS to run on E85 ethanol fuel, then broke a 1987 record by achieving a 176.68 MPH land speed run yesterday.
The Cobalt was part of the G/FCC class for G Class, Unblown Fuel Competition Coupe, and made its record breaking final run on the environmentally friendly fuel, which is cooler-burning than gasoline and also has a higher octane rating. Nitrous oxide was also used.
Today, the car will switch over to regular gasoline to qualify for a different class, where the team looks to exceed 152.187 MPH.
"We came out here to showcase those performance benefits, and with the Student Cobalt qualifying or setting a record during every run in the fuel class, we more than accomplished our goal." said Al Oppenheiser, whose team leads GM's efforts at Bonneville.
The two-litre Ecotec LSJ engine powering the SS is well suited to such off-road racing activities and has set records in eight classes at Bonneville in the last four years.
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| (Photo: General Motors) |
The Cobalt was part of the G/FCC class for G Class, Unblown Fuel Competition Coupe, and made its record breaking final run on the environmentally friendly fuel, which is cooler-burning than gasoline and also has a higher octane rating. Nitrous oxide was also used.
Today, the car will switch over to regular gasoline to qualify for a different class, where the team looks to exceed 152.187 MPH.
 |
| (Photo: General Motors) |
The two-litre Ecotec LSJ engine powering the SS is well suited to such off-road racing activities and has set records in eight classes at Bonneville in the last four years.
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