X PRIZE Day 4: WWU completes range event, has a little fun on the side

The Western Washington University X PRIZE Team successfully completed the 100-mile range event on Friday, July 23. Next up for the WWU team, assuming that Viking 45 successfully met all the requirements of the efficiency events, are the dynamic safety events on Monday, July 26.

Eric Leonhardt, director of WWU's Vehicle Research Institute, said he thinks the team did sufficiently well to move on in the competition. To run in the safety events next week, the team must have achieved at least 90 MPGe while emitting less than 200 grams per mile of carbon dioxide. Official numbers have not yet been released.

WWU's Viking 45 competes in the range event Friday alongside the Aptera team from San Diego. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
WWU's Viking runs next to one of the Edison2 Very Light Cars during the 100-mile range event Friday. The Edison2 car, in the mainstream class, was required to complete 200 miles. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
During the range event Friday, a couple of members of the Finnish RaceAbout team watch as their car runs in the event. Behind their car is the amp'd Sky, from the amp team, and WWU's Viking 45. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
A film crew from Canada creating a documentary for the Discovery Channel captures WWU X PRIZE Team members Adrian Eissinger, left, Tyler Schmid and Kyle Foley removing the rear panel of Viking 45. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
WWU X PRIZE Team member Leif Olsen helps remove the gas tank from the underside of Viking 45 after the team completed the 100-mile range event Friday. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
In the charging tent, Kyle Foley loosens the screws holding the four-gallon gas tank to the underside of the car. After each run, the tank is weighed to determine how much fuel the car has used.
After completing the 100-mile range event Friday, team members (from left) Noah Katz, Brent Wise, Sophia McCloy and Kyle Foley chat about the run. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
Adrian Eissinger plays with a helicopter toy given to teammate Leif Olsen for his 23rd birthday on Thursday, July 22, as the rest of the WWU X PRIZE Team looks on. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
WWU's Viking 45 stops at the start/finish line during the range event. All vehicles were required to make periodic stops at the judging station. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU
The hood of Viking 45 features a small viking helmet. The Viking is the mascot of Western Washington University. Photo by Matthew Anderson | WWU