Many teams place a premium on the design category, hopeful of recognition from the panel of judges that will include senior design and R&D executives from major auto firms this year. Kuo emphasized that students are also awarded a certificate of participation in this event, a document that could significantly improve their chances of landing a good job in the automotive industry after graduation.
On the Kwang Wu running track, a group of night school students were also testing out a vehicles which they plan to enter in the competition next year. "Because most of them work, they are able to afford a greater outlay," Huang said. This second group's vehicle has a shell of carbon fiber, which is much lighter than the fiberglass used for Viagra. "They had to contribute around NT$10,000 each for the project," Huang said.
Chang Rong-hua (張榮華), editor of Autobike (風火輪), which has covered the event since its conception, said that it is a valuable exercise in providing practical training for Taiwan's up-and-coming automotive engineers.
"The students can take on this project as part of the course work," he said. "It is a valuable shift away from a heavily theoretical curriculum."
The main challenge for all the teams is to improve transmission to maximize engine efficiency and reduce resistance. "We have experimented with all kinds of materials, but it all costs money," said Huang. He estimated that the team spent around NT$13,000 putting Viagra together.
While the event is supported by a number of Taiwan's auto firms such as Ford Lio Ho Motor Company (福特六合), Yulon Motor Company (裕隆) and China Motor Corp (中華汽車), Kuo pointed out that the competition is not affected by commercial considerations. "It is called a supermileage competition, by which we mean that any method at all can be used to achieve fuel efficiency. Many of these methods are not commercially viable, but some of the principles might be carried over into the commercial realm," Kuo said.
The distance event also brings into play a variety of unconventional driving skills. "Coasting is permitted," Kuo said, and it is important to pace the vehicle, knowing when to coast and when to use the engine -- a kind of experience that is only built up through long involvement in the event.
For the first time in Taiwan, a hybrid car category has been introduced into the competition, for vehicles combining electrical and gasoline power supplies. Ta Yeh University will enter one of the three vehicles in this category, which will only be a demonstration event. "We are still working out the rules for that category," Kuo said.
The competition has considerable support from industry and the educational establishment, and much is made of the benefits such events have for inculcating the virtues of fuel efficiency. But for Huang, "its fun, but doesn't really have that much relevance to the commercial world."
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