Pennsylvania College of Technology has announced the winners of the "Mousetrap Racer Contest," held Oct.13 during "Career Day" at the College.
Nearly 200 students from more than a dozen high schools around Pennsylvania competed in the annual event, which features a variety of contests involving miniature vehicles whose sole power source is a mousetrap and its spring. To win, contestants must master the principles taught in high school science and math classes, said contest coordinator Dale E. Jaenke, assistant professor of automotive technology.
There were six different contests and two classes of Mousetrap Racers in the event. Cars built solely with parts in the standard kit are designated "stock racers" and competed in contests only against other stock racers. Cars built using parts other than those in the kit are classified as "modified racers," and virtually anything can be used in their construction. The modified racers competed only against others in the same class.
There were separate contests for appearance, maximum distance, load pull, hill climb, fastest car and straightest path. Trophies were awarded for first through third place in each of the six contests and for both classes of car.
The winners for the 2000 Mousetrap Racer Contest are:
Straightest Path Contest
Stock racers 1st place: Dmitiry Pinchuk, State College Area High School 2nd place: Tyanne Kline, Greenwood High School (Millerstown) 3rd place: Dave Dauenbaugh, Millville Area High School
Modified racers 1st place: Monica Scarazzo, Greenwood High School 2nd place: Mislav Madejcic, Hamburg Area High School 3rd place: Ryan Hess, Williamsport Area High School
Hill Climb Contest
Stock racers 1st place: Luke Hoff, State College Area High School 2nd place: Slava Dimitriyev, State College Area High School 3rd place: Vadim Aseyev, State College Area High School
Modified racers 1st place: Brad Neidrick, Williamsport Area High School 2nd place: Travis Sheleman, Williamsport Area High School 3rd place: Amber Holmes, Williamsport Area High School
Fastest Car Contest
Stock racers 1st place: Chris Orr, Greenwood High School 2nd place: Kristy Shappell, Hamburg Area High School 3rd place: Dmitiry Pinchuk, State College Area High School
Modified racers 1st place: Brad Neidrick, Williamsport Area High School 2nd place: Amber Holmes, Williamsport Area High School 3rd place: Travis Sheleman, Williamsport Area High School
Maximum Load Pull Contest
Stock Racers 1st place: Mike Shumski, Cardinal Brennan High School (Ashland) 2nd place: Slava Dimitriyev, State College Area High School 3rd place: Steve Ishler, State College Area High School
Modified Racers 1st place: David Atkinson, State College Area High School 2nd place: Marty Kelly, Cardinal Brennan High School 3rd place: Joshua Cole, Northeast Bradford High School
Maximum Distance Contest
Stock racers 1st place: Chris Orr & Zack Stinely, Greenwood High School 2nd place: Max Koftan, State College Area High School 3rd place: Josh Lewis, Galeton Area High School
Modified racers 1st place: Jeremy Heffner & Roxanne Adam, Schuylkill Valley High School (Leesport) 2nd place: Andrew Thompson, Williamsport High School 3rd place: Tim Egan, Schuylkill Valley High School
Appearance Contest
Stock racers 1st place: John Fitspatrick, Hamburg Area High School 2nd place: Alicia Russell, Greenwood High School 3rd place: Jeremy Heffner and Roxanne Adam, Schuylkill Valley High School
Modified Racers 1st place: Ryan Waver, Middletown Area High School 2nd place: Chris Sullivan, Galeton Area High School 3rd place: Jeremy Heffner and Roxanne Adam, Schuylkill Valley High School