by Dennis Dalman
It’s too bad cars are not more like lawnmowers because lawnmowers can get 140 miles – and even more – per gallon of gasoline.
That’s what one car achieved at Brainerd International Raceway recently at a two-day SuperMileage competition. The car was one of three built by members of the Sartell High School SuperMileage Team comprised of 20 students – seniors, juniors and one sophomore.
The cars are aerodynamically designed, three-wheel cars that resemble soap-box cars and have barely enough room for one driver. The cars are propelled by Briggs-Stratton lawnmower engines. Most of the cars are about 9 feet long and 2 to 3 feet wide.
“It’s always a good time in Brainerd,” said Nick Martel, who has been team captain and member of the Sartell student team for two years. “We didn’t win, but it’s fun to watch your masterpiece do what it should do.”
Martel graduated recently from Sartell High School.
“I’d love to do it again (team-building cars), but I can’t now,” he said. “Being part of that team and going to Brainerd was a huge learning experience.”
Martel said one Briggs-Stratton car at the Brainerd competition from some other team managed to get 700-plus miles per gallon.
“Those Briggs-Stratton engines are very small – only 200 cubic centimeters,” said Martel. “It’s quite a trick to run and make sure it stays running.”
Martel plans to go to St. Cloud Technical & Community College where he will study automotive service.
