Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge
GenreMotorcycle rally/technology demonstration
FrequencyAnnually
Location(s)Ohio, California, Nevada
Inaugurated1980
FounderCraig Vetter
Most recentJuly 13, 2014[1]
Next eventOctober 11, 2014 (San Luis Obispo to Carmel, California)[2]
WebsiteCraig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge

The Craig Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge is a motorcycle fuel efficiency contest created in 1980 by motorcycle fairing inventor Craig Vetter.[2] The contest was cited in Vetter's Motorcycle Hall of Fame induction.[3]

The contest initially ran from 1980 to 1985, with the inaugural run from Colorado Springs to Cripple Creek, Colorado.[4] After a 25-year break, the contest resumed from 2011 with revised Vetter Fuel Challenge rules allowing for alternative fuel categories and requiring street usability including goods-carrying capability.[5][6][7] This is considered a particularly important future need for electric motorcycles like the Zero,[8][9] where battery constraints limit usable range, and the need for lengthy recharging cycles at public electrical points punctuates journeys and necessitates careful trip planning.[10]

A streamlined motorcycle designed by Charly Perethian with a 185 cc Yamaha motor achieved 372 miles per US gallon (0.632 L/100 km; 447 mpg‑imp) at the 1983 challenge, and is now displayed in the Smithsonian Institution.[6][11][12]

Results

Winners by year are tabulated below. Data as published by Craig Vetter at the contest website. All vehicles are full faired streamliners unless noted.

Year Location Winner Fuel economy Model Notes
1980 Colorado Springs–Cripple Creek, Colorado Lammy Johnstone 97.9 mpg‑US (2.40 L/100 km; 117.6 mpg‑imp) 1000 cc Harley-Davidson
1981 Templeton–Cambria, California Mike Hishki 189 mpg‑US (1.24 L/100 km; 227 mpg‑imp) Honda Passport Matt Guzzetta/Don Vesco "Project 200" streamliner entered, disqualified[13]
1982 San Luis Obispo–Monterey, California Charly Perethian 282 mpg‑US (0.83 L/100 km; 339 mpg‑imp) 185 cc 1982 Yamaha Vehicle now in Smithsonian
1983 Carmel–Carmel, California Charly Perethian 372 mpg‑US (0.632 L/100 km; 447 mpg‑imp) 185 cc 1982 Yamaha
1984 Carmel–Carmel Masakazu Matsuzawa 377 mpg‑US (0.624 L/100 km; 453 mpg‑imp) Honda XL 125 Record 557 mpg‑US (0.422 L/100 km; 669 mpg‑imp) achieved by Dan Hannebrink on first stage
1985 Carmel–Big Sur–Laguna Seca Masakazu Matsuzawa 470 mpg‑US (0.50 L/100 km; 560 mpg‑imp) 1980 Honda XL 80

Results from the 2010s can not be directly compared as there was a major rule change that required a minimum cargo capacity and minimum top speed. Additionally, winners were declared by cost spent on pump gas (or electricity), not strictly mileage, significant as there is a mix of motor types.

Craig Vetter hit a deer while riding his stream-lined Honda Helix on August 14, 2015. To help him stay focused on his recovery, volunteers helped coordinate and document the 2015 and 2016 Vetter Challenge Rides in Ohio.[14][15]

Year Location Winner Fuel economy Model Notes
October 2010 San Luis Obispo Winner (by MPG)/Second place (by fuel cost) 089.5 mpg‑US (2.63 L/100 km; 107.5 mpg‑imp) Hayes Diesel motorcycle (not streamlined) First public demonstration; bio-diesel
Winner (by cost of fuel consumed) 081.4 mpg‑US (2.89 L/100 km; 97.8 mpg‑imp) Custom Ninja 250-engined trike
May 2011 Carmel Fred Hayes 128 mpg‑US (1.84 L/100 km; 154 mpg‑imp) Hayes MD670F2 Diesel motorcycle (semi faired)
July 2011 Lexington, Ohio Max Perethian 157 mpg‑US (1.50 L/100 km; 189 mpg‑imp) 1989 Honda NX250 (semi faired) 1982–1983 winner Charly Perethian designed; son rode machine
Stock bike got 86 mpg on tests before streamlining
November 2011 Las Vegas to Barstow Fred Hayes 133.2 mpg‑US (1.766 L/100 km; 160.0 mpg‑imp) Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed) Achieved second place with 143.53 mpg at prior contest
May 2012 Carmel Fred Hayes 109.6 mpg‑US (2.146 L/100 km; 131.6 mpg‑imp) Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed)
July 2012 Lexington, Ohio Fred Hayes 143.6 mpg‑US (1.638 L/100 km; 172.5 mpg‑imp) Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed) Electric motorcycle entrant had lower cost per mile but did not meet cargo requirement.
November 2012 Las Vegas to Barstow Fred Hayes 125.92 mpg‑US (1.8680 L/100 km; 151.22 mpg‑imp) Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed)
May 2013 Carmel Fred Hayes 149.68 mpg‑US (1.5714 L/100 km; 179.76 mpg‑imp) Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed)
July 2013 Lexington, Ohio Fred Hayes 162.5 mpg‑US (1.447 L/100 km; 195.2 mpg‑imp) Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed)
July 2014 Lexington, Ohio Alan Smith 181.6 mpg‑US (1.295 L/100 km; 218.1 mpg‑imp) Kawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing)
August 2014 Wendover to Tooele, Utah Terry Hershner (winner, cost basis) 116.5 watt-hours/mile Zero Motorcycles electric customized with 20 kW-Hr of batteries, and Vetter Fairing 80 mph speed limits. 171 mile ride

This was the first time an electric motorcycle was able to complete a Vetter Challenge with the liquid fuel bikes. At all other events, the electric motorcycles lacked range to complete the course with the group and were disqualified from winning the overall lowest fuel cost per mile.

Hershner $.017/mile fuel cost

Hayes $.023/mile fuel cost

Smith $.026/mile fuel cost

Alan Smith (winner, pump fuel) 139.3 mpg‑US (1.689 L/100 km; 167.3 mpg‑imp) Kawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing)
Fred Hayes (winner, alternate fuel [biodiesel]) 164.0 mpg‑US (1.434 L/100 km; 197.0 mpg‑imp) Diesel streamliner (rider semi exposed)
October 2014 San Luis Obispo to Salinas, California Vic Valdes (winner, pump fuel and overall) 187.0 mpg-US Kawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing) $.0176 / mile (winner of pump fuel and overall winner of this event having lowest fuel cost per mile)
Terry Hershner (winner, electric) 138 watt-hours/mile Zero Motorcycles electric (with Vetter fairing - missing windshield and front turret causing higher than normal fuel usage). $.0225 / mile
July 2015 Mike Corbin Appreciation Ride, California Alan Smith (winner pump fuel and overall) 177.0 mpg-US Kawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing) $.0203 / mile
Terry Hershner (winner electric) 125.4 watt-hours/mile Zero Motorcycle Electric (without fairing) $.0219 / mile
July 2015 Lexington, Ohio Alan Smith (winner pump fuel) 161 mpg - US Kawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter Fairing) $.0174 / mile
July 2016 Lexington, Ohio Vic Valdes (winner pump fuel and overall) 187 mpg - US Kawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing) $.0110 / mile
Kraig Schultz (winner electric) 92 watt-hours/mile Custom Built Electric with Vetter Fairing from the 1980's with Airplane Canopy $.0126 / mile
July 2017 Lexington, Ohio Vic Valdes (winner pump fuel and overall) 236 mpg - US Kawasaki Ninja 250 (rider semi exposed, Vetter fairing) $.0097 / mile
Virginia Tech (winner electric) 101.9 watt-hours/mile Zero Motorcycles Electric (with Vetter fairing and custom tail built by Virginia Tech student team) $.0134 / mile
Alan Smiths Streamliner Winner July 2015 Vetter Challenge
Winning Vehicle (Silver Streamliner) for July 2015 Vetter Challenge in Lexington, Ohio. 2005 Ninja 250 with Vetter Fairing, 161 mpg Bike built by and ridden by Alan Smith. Picture taken by Kraig Schultz at AMA Motorcycle Museum. White bike to right is Vic Valdes (2nd place, 152mpg) and Maroon Bike to rear is Scott Endler (3rd place 117mpg)
Vic Valdes and Kraig Schultz Gas and Electric Winners 2016 Vetter Challenge
Winning Vehicles for July 2016 Vetter Challenge in Lexington, Ohio. Bike to Left is 1999 Ninja 250 with Vetter Fairing, 187 mpg Bike built by and ridden by Vic Valdes. Bike to Right is 2011 Custom Electric with 1980’s Rifle/Vetter Fairing Built and Ridden by Kraig Schultz 92 Wh/Mile.
Vic Valdes Gas Winner July 2017 Ohio
Winning Gas Vehicle for July 2017 Vetter Challenge in Lexington, Ohio. 1999 Ninja 250 with Vetter Fairing, 236 mpg Bike built and ridden by Vic Valdes. 2017-07-08
Winner of Electric Class July 2017 Virginia Tech
Winning Electric Vehicle for July 2017 Vetter Challenge in Lexington, Ohio. 2014 Zero S with Vetter Fairing, 101.9 Wh/mile built by Virginia Tech Students and ridden by Jacob Dennis. 2017-07-08
Fred Hayes Diesel Streamlined Motorcycle
Winning Overall and Diesel Vehicle Categories for 2011, 2012 and 2013 Vetter Challenges in Ohio and California/Nevada. Hayes Diesel Engine with Airtech Fairing, 109-164 mpg bio fuel. Bike built and ridden by Fred Hayes. This Picture was taken by Kraig Schultz in July 2011. In 2012, external saddle bags were added to rear of bike.

Pictures of Winning Vehicles:

July 2011 Vetter Challenge Winning Bike
Winning Vehicle for July 2011 Vetter Challenge in Lexington, Ohio. 1989 Honda NX250 with Parabellum Fairing, 157mpg Bike built by Charly Perethian; ridden by Max Perethian. Morgan Vetter is Standing Next to Bike.

References

  1. ^ Jim Witters (July 13, 2014), "Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge tests fuel mileage limits", American Motorcyclist, American Motorcyclist Association
  2. ^ a b "The Vetter Fuel Economy Challenges" Archived 2006-08-22 at the Wayback Machine, Craig Vetter's official website. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
  3. ^ "Craig Vetter: Fairing and Motorcycle Designer, Innovator, Racer", Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame, American Motorcyclist Association, retrieved 2012-10-26
  4. ^ Brewer, Chuck; Cox, Todd (April 27, 2012). "Genuine Volkswagon [sic] Parts / Craig Vetter interview". Wheelnerds (Podcast). No. 46. Event occurs at 15:35. Retrieved 2014-09-25.
  5. ^ "Vetter Fuel Challenge Goals and Rules" Archived 2014-09-06 at the Wayback Machine, Craig Vetter's official website. Retrieved 2013-05-27
  6. ^ a b Brown, Stuart (July 26, 2011), "Wheels blog: Independent Motorcycle Designers Achieve Over 150 M.P.G. at Ohio Challenge", The New York Times, retrieved 2013-11-17
  7. ^ Vetter, Craig (June 7, 2011), "Green transportation: Living Better on Less Energy: Fuel Economy History Was Made in California: Diesels rule at the Quail Vetter Challenge", Mother Earth News, retrieved 2013-11-17
  8. ^ "Streamlining the Zero - conceived" Archived 2014-09-06 at the Wayback Machine, Craig Vetter's official website. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  9. ^ "Streamlining the Zero - part 2" Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine, Craig Vetter's official website. Retrieved 2013-05-27.
  10. ^ David Herron, "How did Terry Hershner travel 3500+ miles on an electric motorcycle in 6 days?" Torque News, 2012-12-13. Retrieved 2013-05-27
  11. ^ America on the Move: Pope, Cleveland, Autoped, and Simplex, Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History
  12. ^ "Smithsonian exhibit opens", American Motorcyclist: 9, September 1986
  13. ^ Youngblood, Ed (November 30, 2011), "How Matt Guzzetta crossed America on one tank of gas", Ed Youngblood's Motohistory, retrieved 2014-09-19
  14. ^ "Vetter Fuel Economy Challenge Plans for Vintage Motorcycle Days 2017". www.schultzengineering.us. Retrieved 2017-12-16.
  15. ^ "Vetter Challenge - Vintage Motorcycle Days 2016". www.schultzengineering.us. Retrieved 2017-12-16.

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