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Fuel saving is fun at sports car rally SUPPLEMENT TO McHENRY PLAINDEALER - PAGE 9 -FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6,1978 Getting fuel economy has always been good for the pocketbook. With the advent of the energy crunch, it has become a matter of patri­ otism. Now, saving fuel has become cracking good fun. Among the reasons for this most recent development is the National Fuel Economy Challenge. The event, co- sponsored by Sports Car Club of America and the U.S. Department of Energy, com­ bines the skill and excitement of a sports car rally with the challenge of maneuvering the course by using the least gasoline. As an added ingredient, cars are checked for low emissions by Champion Spark Plug Company, which provides technical and finan­ cial support for the chal­ lenge. The 1978 inaugural year for the rally saw weekly events t a k i n g p l a c e i n c i t i e s throughout the U.S. While the event is sponsored by sports car clubs, anything from small economy cars to luxurious limousines can and do take part. As varied as the cars are their occupants. A college student and his date will leave the starting line im­ mediately after a 60-year-old an< his wife, with their three grandchildren in the back seat. The reason for this diver­ sity lies in the rules for the challenge. Winners are de­ termined by completing the prescribed rally-type course within time limits and achiev­ ing the most fuel economy for the type of car driven. The mileage is calculated on ac­ tual miles per gallon con­ sumed against the EPA rating for that particular model. The cars in their class achieving the greatest per­ centagewise improvement in Prior to departure, a young couple goes over the details of the course they must negotiate. The Economy Challenge attracts contestants of all ages who drive cars ranging from economy models to luxury sedans, trying to determine who can get the best mileage on a 75-mile-long rally route. Each entrant in the Sports Car Club of America/U.S. Depart­ ment of Energy Fuel Economy Challenge must meet prescribed emissions standards before being eligible to compete. Cham­ pion Spark Plug Company, which offers technical and financial support for the runs, performs exhaust analysis on a rally enthusiast's car. fr actual mileage over the EPA test standards for those cars are the winners. (For exam­ ple, a car with an EPA rating of 20 miles per gallon covers the course with a 25 miles per gallon average. It scores a 25 percent improvement factor. A car with an EPA rating of 36 miles per gallon would have to complete the course at better than 45 miles per gal­ lon to post a higher score.) In fact, five different clas­ sifications of vehicles have been established to make sure each entry is competing in class with a similar type of car. The typical challenge route c o v e r s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 7 5 miles of combined city and open highway driving. probe at the start ot the rally, cars are checked for proper tire pressure and working condition of safety devices. Contestants are also given tips on fuel-saving driving procedures as well as infor­ mation on how to prepare a vehicle mechanically for most economical operation. Everyone wins a certifi­ cate of entry, a dashboard plaque and a free refill of gasoline following the run. It gives you so much to love, with stan­ dard features from an AM radio* to steel- belted radials 'May be deleted lor credit 815-344-1200 NEW FOR 1979 E a c h c o n t e s t a n t a n d navigator is given a detailed rally log giving them informa tion on where to turn, how fast to travel and other spe­ cial instructions. Observers are posted along the rally route to make sure each ve­ h i c l e c o v e r s t h e c o u r s e exactly as designed In addition to the emission (?) SUPER S/Ui FIRESTONE DELUXE ONLY AT FULL 4 PLY - WHITEWALL G78-15 OVERTON'S S A L E P R I C b GRANT BATTERIES UP TO s10 PRICES INCLUDES FREC MOUNTING & BALANCING! mcHENRYl TIRE MART 3931 W. MAIN ST. McHENRY, ILL Sl&(aK4294 "All Models to Choose From. Immediate Delivery" OVERTON CADILLAC-PONTIAC R o u t p 3 1 & U O M f H p n r y ( 8 1 ! S i 3 8 5 6 0 0 0