Published:
By Amy J. Barry
The members of Central’s Multi Powered Vehicle Club (MPVC) have adopted a mantra in recent months: “It’s the journey, not the destination.”
It should serve them well now that they’ve hit the road in a reconditioned 1961 Dodge Lancer to compete in the Great Race — a national event in its 39th year.
Five-hundred people worldwide in 120 antique and classic cars ranging in age from 1916 to 1973 are in this year’s race: a nine-day, 2,300-mile road trip, that started on June 18 at Rocky Point State Park, RI, and will end in Fargo, ND.
“This event teaches students motivation and time management. It’s very challenging,” says David Sianez, professor of Technology & Engineering and MPVC faculty advisor. “It took months of behind-the-scenes preparation.”
What makes this already ambitious, demanding event an even bigger deal for Central is that it’s the only university with a team officially represented in the race, although several college students will be competing on teams sponsored by car museums.
A club on the move
MPVC, originally titled the Human Powered Vehicle Club, was formed in 2004 by Sianez, who started teaching at Central in 2003.
“We began with a small number of students building high-speed bicycles inside carbon-powered shells that we raced all over the U.S.,” Sianez explains. “We broadened it to gas-powered to get more students involved.”
Since its inception, Sianez says the group has built about 16 different human- and engine-powered vehicles from bicycles to boats. The majority of funding for their projects comes from the Student Government Association, which sponsors all clubs on campus.
He says students join MPVC because “There are lots of topics we cover in the club that we don’t have time to cover in the academic courses. The goal is to expand their content knowledge and increase their hands-on focus.”
About the race
MPVC first applied to compete in the Great Race six years ago but couldn’t find a car in the club’s price range. Then two years ago COVID-19 hit and delayed the race another few years.
“When we found out the race was coming straight through Connecticut — they change routes every year — it was a great opportunity and everything fell into place,” Sianez says.
The club was accepted into the event and students located a car on Facebook Marketplace that was well within their budget. It was drivable, but it needed many safety features updated, including an entire brake system, seat belts, new radiator, shocks, alternator, and electrical components.
“We changed, replaced everything we could without getting into the engine and transmission,” Sianez says. “It took about four months.”
Participating in the race are three MPVC members majoring in Technology and Engineering Education: junior Nate Breiling and sophomores Luke Vermilyea and Alex DiStefano. Molly Knybel, a junior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Cinema Studies and Communications, is also along for the ride to document the entire trip with photos and video.
“It’s a nine-day combination race,” explains Sianez. “The automobiles don’t drive on major highways and stop at specific locations every evening where a car show is held and the whole town comes out.
“There’s a huge book of very specific instructions, that drivers don’t get in advance, for example, ‘Go for 35 miles until you see the red barn,’” he says.
“No GPS or watches are allowed, and timekeepers are on the route. Let’s say the time you’re given to get to a destination is an hour; you lose points if you’re over or under — and you have to drive under the speed limit.”
At the end of the event, the Dodge Lancer will be transported back to Central, courtesy of The Great Race. The students fly home.
Student driver
Vermilyea says the hands-on experience in MPVC, including learning woodworking and automotive skills, “is excellent preparation for teaching my own students one day.”
He recognizes what a wonderful opportunity Central has afforded MPVC.
“It’s a unique opportunity that not many young people get to experience, seeing that we are the only college team participating! It’s a 60-year-old car — something will break along the way. But I’m excited to figure out how to make adjustments on the fly and do the best we can.”