PRESS RELEASE

U.C. Berkeley Bearacuda becomes the Fastest Collegiate

Human Powered Vehicle in History

BERKELEY-On October 4^th, the University of California Berkeley Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) Team broke two World Records and the Collegiate Top Speed Record by achieving 67.9 mph using only human power.  The vehicle, shown below, is actually a fully enclosed aerodynamic bicycle called a “Human Powered Vehicle”, or HPV.

Conceived six years ago, the Cal bike, “Bearacuda”, is a tandem HPV, where the riders sit back to back in a monocoque shell of space-age carbon-fiber.  The Bearacuda’s construction was initiated in 1998 by a dedicated team of students from the department of Mechanical Engineering.  It was finished in May of 1999, and soon after went into the history books. Confident after twice winning the annual collegiate tandem speed title, the team decided to attempt a World Record.  Led by Tai Stillwater, the Bearacuda entered the realm of the IHPVA (International Human Powered Vehicle Association) to compete with the world’s fastest HPVs.

In November of 2000 the Bearacuda did just that, setting three World Records at low altitude.  In the Men’s category Mat Glaser and Lance Doherty set two Low Altitude tandem records, reaching a top speed of 54.7 mph.  The female riders Michelle Khine and Melodie Metzger surprised everybody with an incredible 600m sprint, reaching a top speed of 38.4 mph; not only setting the tandem record but besting the female sprint record for single rider vehicles.

Seeking faster speeds, the team applied for a coveted spot at the World Human Powered Speed Challenge held each year on a lonely stretch of highway 305 outside of Battle Mountain, Nevada.  After being selected for one of only five spots, they proved their worth as Andy Jacques-Maynes and Lance Doherty pedaled to almost 68 mph.

If you recognize the name, it’s because the Bearacuda has been one for the spotlight, getting coverage in numerous local papers, Cal publications, ASME publications, as well as being featured on the television show, “Evening Magazine”.    

After a three year record breaking run, it is hard to imagine how the team could do any better.  “Don’t worry,” said one member, “we’ll find a way.”

WORLD RECORDS

Men’s High Altitude Tandem Kilometer, October 2001	66.1 mph
Men’s High Altitude Tandem Mile, October 2001	65.9 mph
Men’s Low Altitude Tandem 500m, November 2000	54.7 mph
Men’s Low Altitude Tandem Kilo, November 2000	53.9 mph
Women’s Low Altitude Tandem 600/200m Sprint, November 2000	38.4 mph

COLLEGIATE RECORDS

Fastest Collegiate HPV in History 200m Flying Start, October 2001	67.9 mph
Collegiate National Champions Overall, 1999-2000
Collegiate National Top Speed Champions, 1999-2000
Collegiate National Road Race Champions, 1999-2000
Collegiate National Design Champions, 2000

Team Members

Tai Stillwater (Team Director)·Andrew Packard (Faculty Advisor)·Jigar Mehta·Ben Blake·Tomonori Honda

Alan Ni·Isaac Noh·Michiel Kruger·Howard Kwon·Andy Jacques-Maynes·Lance Doherty·Matt Glaser

Sam Bernier ·Michelle Khine·Melodie Metzger·Matt Swanson·Brenda Hyde·Neal Hartman

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