Registration for the Fall 2024 Electrathon will require Online Registration (green button on the top left). While we move to a digital platform, some parts will still need to be mailed.

Please complete the Driver Packet for each student driver (green button at top center) and return it with payment to the address on the form.

You are cordially invited to attend Connecticut's 24th Energy Efficiency Electrathon event. Come and view the streamlined designs and engineering ideas students have incorporated into these one-of-a-kind vehicles.

WHEN: October 18th, 2024

8:00 am- 3:00 pm

WHERE: Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, CT

What to expect when arriving at Lime Rock Park

See a parking official at the main gate and return the liability release forms. Follow instructions to park, unload, and spectator areas. When you have unloaded and organized, proceed to the registration table to find inspection order/time.

When proceeding to the table, please bring the following items:

Electrathon Membership Card
2 drivers per vehicle.
1 volunteer.
Ballast for each driver.
Competition Batteries.
Arm Bands - free for new teams. For returning teams, please bring last year’s armband.

The CCSU Inspection team will check the ballast, administer an expanded driver's test, weigh the driver, place batteries in the holding area, and inspect your vehicle. Once inspected, they will place a sticker on your vehicle, and your team will be allowed to use the track for time trials.

OBJECTIVES OF ELECTRATHON

To drive an electric-powered vehicle as far as possible on a closed circuit course for one hour, using a limited electrical supply.
To provide a forum where skill and ingenuity may be displayed.
To provide public awareness and understanding of efficient electrical vehicles.

ELECTRATHON DIVISIONS

In 2004, CT Electrathon became an innovator and one of the first programs to incorporate classes. Classes were made because of the growing interest and the new types of vehicles being made. This also allows new competitors to have a better experience and to keep a fair contest among very serious competitors. The three classes are Novice, Classic, and Composite.

NOVICE CLASS includes vehicles of schools that are new to the Electrathon Series and are competing for the first or second time; these vehicles cannot be composite. If a Novice vehicle completes more than 100 laps in their first race they will be moved to the Classic class for the next event

CLASSIC CLASS includes any vehicle made of metal or kit car that the team has competed with in prior events.
COMPOSITE CLASS is for advanced vehicles made of composite materials, such as fiberglass, with no frame.

Agenda for October 18th

Arrival: 8:00 am - 8:15 am

Registration: 8:15 am - 10:00 am

Inspections: 8:15 am - 10:00 am

Track Time: 10:00 am - 10:30 am

1st Heat: 10:45 am - 11:45 am

Lunch / Track Time: 11:45 am - 12:30pm

2nd Heat: 12:45 pm - 1:45 pm

3rd Heat: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Awards: 3:30 pm

Our Sponsors

House Keeping & Updates

Lime Rock Park has been generous and has allowed CT Electrathon the use of their facility; we respect and honor their rules.

Teams

All teams participating in the spring competition must be registered with Electrathon America and hold a valid membership card. This card must be presented for each vehicle during registration.

Your Team must have at least one adult responsible for every 10 students.

Selection of Vehicle Potisions

All cars must be pre-registered and are to be at the track ready to compete for the first heat. Cars from different classes will run in the same heat, each with a class designation placed on the car. A maximum of two vehicles from any school will compete in the same heat.

Batteries

We will remain with the 67lb rule for the 2024 season. Any commercially produced agm/gel cell battery combination will be acceptable for up to 67 lbs. NO HEATING OR CHARGING of batteries will be allowed at the track. Batteries will be subject to a temperature inspection. The competition batteries are to be placed in a holding area with the batteries from other teams. Ten minutes before your scheduled heat, your team may remove the batteries from the holding area.

Passing

Slow cars are to stay to the INSIDE of the track. The Race Steward will explain the proper passing procedure at the drivers' meeting. Should you have any questions, this will be the time to ask. When passing another vehicle, you must pass in the DESIGNATED AREA ONLY. If drivers fail to follow the rules, they will be black-flagged immediately.

Vehicles

Each school may enter a MAXIMUM of TWO VEHICLES. We must operate within the time allotted to us on the track.

Once you have your vehicle inspected, the time trial will be open to test your vehicle.

There is no electricity available at the track. Bring extra batteries.

Driver Exit Time

When changing drivers during the competition, the first driver must pull into the pit area, exit the vehicle with ALL THE BALLAST, and get weighed. The second driver is to secure THEIR Ballast and enter the vehicle. Should the two drivers be the same weight, the first driver must remove the entire ballast and get weighed while the second driver installs THEIR NEW BALLAST NOTE: Each driver is to install their own ballast. Should a team have only one driver, they must remove the ballast, get weighed, and reinstall it before entering the vehicle. The team vehicle will be penalized one lap.

Slow Vehicles

While we encourage each team to do their best, slow vehicles have become a safety problem. Driving a vehicle at a slow speed when the batteries are low harms the battery life and causes a potentially dangerous situation on the track. It has been decided that when a vehicle takes 60 seconds or longer to complete a lap on the course, it will be required to pit and not be allowed back onto the track.

End of Competition Inspection

At the end of each heat, each driver must pull into the pit area and remain in the vehicle until the vehicle is inspected or you are told to take the vehicle to your team area. We will be mixing classes together, so several vehicles may need to be inspected at the end of each heat. TEAM MEMBERS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO ASSIST THE DRIVER. The Advisor will be the only person allowed to assist the driver.

Past Events

About
CT Electrathon

Searching for an educational program that offers:

Science
Community and professional involvement?
Math
Research
Physics
Development
Fabrication
Communication Skills
Writing Skills
Mentoring
Partnerships
Graphic Design

All of these aspects and more are developed within the Electrathon program while students work as a team to achieve a common goal. Connecticut formalized an Electrathon series beginning in late May or June of 2001. I hope that you and your school elect to join this exciting educational program. This program offers schools a great opportunity to integrate subject matter in a meaningful way. Students become active participants in their education and learn to work cooperatively.

The goal of Electrathon is to provide a learning experience that will build public awareness of the capabilities and potential of efficient electric vehicles. Developed around specific rules designed to keep cost down and competition high, these unique vehicles offer an opportunity and challenge to experiment, learn, and compete.

Electrathon Promotion Video Competition

Competition Guidlines

We are excited to announce the inaugural/pilot Electrathon Video Competition! This thrilling contest invites high school students to showcase their creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm for environmentally friendly transportation by producing compelling promotional videos to attract new members to their Electrathon Organization.

The Electrathon Promotion Video Competition offers high school students a fantastic opportunity to showcase their skills, creativity, and dedication to advancing sustainable transportation. By participating, students will contribute to the recruitment efforts of their electric car club and promote the larger goal of environmental sustainability. So, gather your team, charge your cameras, and create an electrifying promotional video that ignites change!

DALL·E 2024-09-16 12.20.38 - A realistic image of an old race track, featuring a worn-out

HISTORY

CT Electrathon began in 2001 with the inaugural CT Electrathon Challenge held at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, Connecticut. The CT Electrathon Challenge was formed after learning of the Great Alternative Energy event that was formed by Central Connecticut State University and RHAM High School. The CT Electrathon Challenge was made to include more research and engineering and to incorporate it into a high school atmosphere. This program has been growing steadily by about 20% per year and thanks to Lime Rock’s donation of their track twice per year we hope it can continue to grow. It has grown to include not just Connecticut schools but schools from around the country and Canada. In turn many of these schools themselves have begun to form Electrathon events in their respective states.