Institution news
The University of Liverpool Velocipede (ULV) team designed and built their recumbent bicycle, ARION1 (pictured), from scratch.
With sponsorship from Liverpool firm Rathbones Investment Management, the students, who are are affiliate members of the Institution, transported the bicycle to Battle Mountain, Nevada and raced it in the International Human Powered Vehicle Association’s World Human Powered Speed Challenge 2015.
Aiming for the world record of 83.13mph, set at the same venue by a Dutch team in 2013, the team just fell short but did manage to surpass the British record of 67.4mph, set by Rob English at Battle Mountain in 2002.
The male riders successfully qualified, but female rider Natasha Morrison was unable to hit the speeds required to qualify for the main event. Mixed weather conditions then forced the abandonment of runs early in the week. However, with the sun back out, the ULV team clocked up a 69.7mph run by rider Ken Buckley to take the British land speed record. On the final day, fellow rider David Collins, a PhD student at the university, hit back with 70.6mph, only for that speed to be topped by Ken pushing to a new British human-powered land speed record of 75.03mph.
ULV deputy team leader Patrick Harper said: “It was a rollercoaster week, with highs and lows for the team.
"Damage sustained to the exterior shell and steering after a high-speed impact meant working through the night on Thursday and Friday to make it possible for our riders to attempt breaking records again.
“On the final evening, the bicycle was in great condition, the riders were pumped and the weather provided perfect racing conditions. David and Ken were able to hit incredible speeds – the team were ecstatic."
He added: “We would like to thank Rathbones, our sponsor. Without its support, this wonderful project would not have been possible.”
The World Human Powered Speed Challenge takes place on an ordinary road that is closed for 20 minutes every morning and evening. The riders accelerate over a five-mile course, before reaching a 200m flat section where speeds are measured and recorded.
David and Ken received commemorative speeding tickets from the Nevada sheriff for breaking the road’s 70mph speed limit.
Accompanying the team to Nevada was Dr Tim Short, senior lecturer in the University of Liverpool’s School of Engineering.
He said: “To break the British record three times in our first attempt at this challenge is an outstanding achievement for the whole ULV team.
“The students have worked hard, with enthusiasm, through difficult circumstances. The School of Engineering and the University of Liverpool are proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish.”
Rathbones chief operating officer, Andrew Butcher, said: “ARION1 is a triumph of British education, industry and sport. As investment managers, we seek to invest in future technology, and it is a privilege for us to help make possible the team’s success in smashing the British record.”
Although the ULV team did not touch the 2013 world record on this occasion, it was topped by a Canadian team competing at the event. Todd Reichert and his AeroVelo team achieved a speed of 86.65mph. This will be the target for the ULV team at next year’s event, with the design of ARION2 already under way.