The Team Colin Blackhall and Chris Engel both live near Banchory and run independent businesses, Colin in farming and Chris in IT/Design. Having owned and run various vintage and performance cars over the years, both have a passion for motorsport and decided to enter the 2003 Eco Marathon as a challenge. Neither Colin nor Chris had ever undertaken a project of this type before. A couple of evenings were spent playing with Meccano and drinking beer and the foundation of the design was conceived. Viv Blackhall was registered as driver for the first run. Naomi Engel should have been driving but was unable to because of work commitments. Hopefully she'll manage to add some glamour next year! The Vehicle Named EconFusion, the car was built over a period of just 2½ weeks the eventual design was a series of compromises and workarounds. Due to short time schedule no pre-competition testing was possible and the official practice day on 9th August was the first time that the vehicle had been driven. Steering initially proved to be difficult but was quickly sorted. Drive-train stiffness was also problematic resulting in the loss of the chains on several occasions during testing. Eventually the problem was traced to a fractured weld on a bearing casing. This was replaced back in the workshop at Durris and testing resumed late evening whilst the barbecue was being enjoyed by the other teams. On the 10th Aug, the vehicle was the second onto the circuit and completed a full 25 laps without any problems. Two other runs were completed, both without mishap and both increasing the the mpg substantially. Apparently this 100% success record has never been achieved by any other 'novice' first-time team participating at Alford. Chassis                        Bodywork Engine Gearbox Height Length Wheelbase Ground clearance Wheels Clutch Start Steering Weight Instrumentation Based in Scotland, just 18 miles from Alford, the team was created in July 2003 to construct and enter a vehicle in the 2003 Scottish Shell Eco Marathon. square section aluminium none 25cc 4-stroke - 1.1kw @ 8000rpm 2 stage reduction with 7-speed final box 700mm approx 2300mm Around 1500mm but adjustable Around 100mm but adjustable Front - 2x 26x1.75 Rear 1x 20" Centrifugal Manual pull-start Tiller 33kg without driver Multi-function cordless cycle mileometer, digital tachometer