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SNOWMOBILE DIGEST

SAE CLEAN SNOWMOBILE CHALLENGE BEGINS MARCH 14
The sixth annual Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Clean Snowmobile Challenge takes place March 14-19 at Michigan Technological University (MTU) in Houghton, Michigan.
Thirteen student teams from universities in the U.S. and Canada will compete in the six-day event with snowmobiles modified to reduce noise and emissions levels.
The goal of the competition is to develop snowmobiles that are acceptable for use in environmentally sensitive areas. Snowmobiles entered in the program are required to run quiet and emit significantly less unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide than conventional snowmobiles.
Technical inspections and team check-ins take place on Monday, March 14. An endurance and fuel-economy event will be run from Calumet to Copper Harbor, Mich., on Tuesday. Cold start, noise and emissions tests will take place on Thursday and Friday. Other events include design presentations and static displays, as well as two new “graded” ergonomic competitions: Rider Comfort and Subjective Handling.
Teams registered for the international competition include U.S. entries from Clarkson University (Potsdam, NY), Kettering University (Flint, MI), Michigan Technological University (Houghton), Minnesota State University (Mankato), Montana Tech (Butte), SUNY-Buffalo, University of Idaho (Moscow), University of Wisconsin-Platteville, last year’s overall winner the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and fuel-economy winner the University of Maine (Orno).
Canadian entries include Ecole de Technologies Superieure (Montreal), McGill University (Montreal) and the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta).

BRP RECALLS ‘05 MACH Z, SUMMIT SLEDS
Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) has recalled approximately 1,455 of its 2005 Ski-Doo Mach Z 995 and Summit 995 snowmobiles sold from Sept. 2004 through Jan. 2005.
Quebec-based BRP says an inappropriate clutch ring gear was installed on some units. This may cause ring gear fragmentation at high speeds and debris could act as projectiles. The company says no incidents or injuries have been reported.
Recalled models are units without a functional electric starter, sold for $10,599 to $11,599 depending on model. They include the 2005 Mach Z Adrenaline, model number AB5A; Summit Highmark, CA5A/CA5B; and Summit Highmark X, CD5A/CD5B/CD5C.
BRP says owners of affected units will be notified directly and asked to contact an authorized Ski-Doo dealer for a free repair.

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