Jon Lyons and his Saskatchewan Polytechnic team know how to handle the fast lane.
The Flin Flonner and Hapnot Collegiate graduate will be heading to London with his Saskatoon-based team after an impressive showing at the Shell Ecomarathon in Sonoma, Calif. on April 22.
The team’s vehicle built with used composite hockey sticks, a 3D printed plastic shell and other low-weight materials, finished second in its class in the event, topping teams from Penn State, Louisiana Tech and a number of American specialized prep schools.
In the fuel economy event, the vehicle achieved a mileage of 266 kilometres per litre – enough to get Lyons from his team’s home base in Saskatoon to Flin Flon on just over two litres of gas.
Meanwhile, in the driver’s challenge race, the team finished second again. “We went there for a reason and we exceeded
our expectations,” said Lyons, who served as a motor engineer with the group.
The team’s second-place finish earned them a spot at the Shell Ecomarathon Drivers’ World Championship event in London, UK. The winner of the event will be announced on July 8.
When it came time to name their creation, the team didn’t have to look far for inspiration, calling it the Saskatoon Berry HAM – using the same fruit that gave the team’s hometown its name and the first letters of the names of the group’s dean, faculty advisor and program head.
Despite the accolades, the team almost never got to take to the track in California. Once the team took the Saskatoon Berry off the transport truck that took it from Saskatchewan to the event, more work still needed to be completed.
“We arrived Wednesday and were still building the car until Saturday,” said Lyons.
With the event’s safety deadline inching closer, the car wouldn’t start. As the team’s motor engineer, Lyons was suddenly thrust into the spotlight.
“The team and I personally had a really bad night Friday,” said Lyons. “I couldn’t get the car to start and run properly.”
However, moments before time ran out on vehicle inspections, things changed.
“Three minutes before they kicked us out of the garages, she fired up for us,” Lyons said. “I was so frustrated by that point I was just ready for bed, but the next day when we got it on the track and it took off for the first time ever… I can’t even tell you. It felt incredible.”
