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Show 2 Signpost Thursday, April 16, 1987 Engineering design pays off for students Christopher Gamble News Editor From climbing the hills of San Louis Obispo of the endurance race on the last day of competition, Weber State College students from the school of engineering technology proved to be endurable themselves. Last Thursday, Friday and Saturday, student participants of the Seniors Projects in Mechanical and Engineering Technology class (460), had the opportunity to enter their off-road (baja) vehicles in a rally hosted by the top team, Cal Poly University of San Louis Obispo. Competing against 24 other schools, some which were engineering schools, WSC placed third and fifth in the top five over-all standings with their baja racers. "We were the only engineering technology school represented, and the only college among all the universities that showed up," said Dan Rich, engineering technology student. Many schools entered up to three baja vehicles, but WSC with their two, placed high in two of the four races. The races included a hill climb, drag race, maneuverability and a endurance race. "Our baja vehicles placed second and fourth in the hill climb, and second and third in the endurance. The endurance race was the main event and it took four hours; all other races were basically preliminary," said Rich. The average speed for the endurance track was 21 mph. Driver Ben Naylor was said to have been going 25 plus on some laps. The student drivers from WSC who competed were Ben Naylor, Steve Johnson, Greg Kauffman, Mike Perry, Dan Rich, Steve Robinson, Brian Sciumbato and Kent Anderson. All of the vehicles represented had standard 8 hp Briggs and Straton engines that could not be modified. "Cal Poly sent us the engines and we just designed and built around them. We designed our cars with the human factor in mind," said Rich. Out of the entire three days the only mishap took place on the third day during the endurance race. "One of our cars stopped near the pit and the car that 1 was driving rolled into it," said Steve Johnson, student Out of the whole competition the damage accessed was a flat tire and a bent tie rod. "We will have to repair the cars so they will run and drive again," Rich said. "The University of Utah entered three cars and only one car even finished," said team driver Mike Perry. "After seeing an article in the Salt Lake Tribune about how good their program is, it was nice beating them," said Rich. Scott Miller Photo Editor Germany is a stable country. Eighty-seven percent of the people stand behind NATO (North Atlantic Organization), and the U.S. soldiers in Germany, said Dr. Ortwin Lowack. Lowack, a member of the German Parliment, was at Weber State College yesterday to speak on the foreign politics after the recent elections. NATO must remain strong to keep the balance of power in Europe, said Lowack. "The western countries and the western alliance must remain strong." "They (the Soviets) would like to have disarmament as long as they think they have no chance to win a war. The moment they see the chance to win a war, then you must be afraid of the possibilities," said Lowack. According to Lowack the Soviets have 50,000 tanks in the western part of the Warsaw Pact compared to the 13-15,000 tanks that NATO has in all of Europe. "We cannot defend Europe without nuclear weapons," said Lowack. "We must remain in a good military position." The Soviets can afford this by spending 17 percent of their gross national income on the military. Lowack said that NATO must keep strong alliances to keep a good balance of power in Europe. "For me, that is the first thing we have to think about; then the Soviet Union," said Lowack. We have to warn (see NATO on page 10) v- s: . I ! . ' ' : f ': I ( .-'' I I J I EVERYONE KNOWS A VERN, said Roy Lighter, the crealer of the "Vern" commercials. Speaking at last Thursday's Convocations he said the success of the commercial is that people can identify with Vern. Signpost photo Scott Miller) T n , i ' 'f v LOOK MA WE WON. Mechanical and Engineering Technology students, Ben Naylor and Steve Johnson, stand beside one of their winning baja racers which they drove at San Louis Obisbo, California. Won't mom be proud. (Signpost photo: Mark Plumley) During the competition tempers were hot and emotions ran high, said driver Ben Naylor. "It was the most intense time of my life." This was the fifth year that WSC has competed in ihe off-road rally. Their record has indicated that they are con-sistantly improving. Out of the class, two-thirds will be graduating this spring. "This is a dang good way to earn a college credit," said Rich. German discusses NATO :. 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