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The highly anticipated, slightly controversial Sno-X Races echoed through the City of Kenora, Ontario, Canada on the 23rd and 24th of Feb 2007 to most residents ‘extreme’ amusement. Although this event was contained on the grounds behind the Rec Centre, the sound of sixteen high performance snowmobiles could be heard clearly throughout the entire town. The final race was conducted in good weather Sunday afternoon in front of three hundred spectators. Unfortunately there was no wind, and by the time the racers advanced to the finish line there was so much exhaust in the air that most of the audience had to rely on loud speakers to broadcast the winner’s information. After watching this vaporous event, Fuel Ghoul found advertisements for an upcoming ‘Ride for Health’ slightly ironic… How could snowmobiling ever be considered healthy?

Let’s face it, snowmobiles pollute the environment. Most of these vehicles are powered by two-stroke engines that dump 20 to 30 per cent of their fuel unburned straight out the tailpipe. In the United States, the air pollution from snowmobiles is so bad that Yellowstone Park Rangers used to wear respirators to protect themselves. Wildlife activists have complained that ‘The piercing noise of snowmobiles can often be heard throughout our parks; studies show that these machines can be heard 90 percent of the time in Yellowstone. And snowmobiles harass and threaten wildlife. Even when restricted to approved and maintained trails, snowmobiles can push bison, wolves, elk, and moose, even the bald eagle, out of their preferred habitats.’

Unfortunately this problem isn’t getting much attention - these non-road engines are a growing source of air pollution all over snow country. In 2006 there were 164,860 snowmobiles sold worldwide; 91,670 were sold in the U.S. and 42,953 were sold in Canada.1 In Minnesota, environmentalists estimate that 14 per cent of benzene emissions from mobile sources come from off-road 2-cycle engines, while 10 per cent comes from off-road four-cycle engines. Looking at the overall exhaust ratios, two-stroke engines are responsible for 32 per cent of all of the mobile source hydrocarbons - this total is highly disproportionate to their use!

Unlike car engines, which auto makers have evolved for decades to increase efficiency and reduce emissions, the two-cycle gasoline engine hasn’t been significantly improved since it was introduced in the 1940’s. These engines take in fuel and emit exhaust in the same stroke, dumping a quarter of their fuel directly into the atmosphere. Those same environmentalists quoted earlier also believe that spending one hour on a snowmobile creates more air pollution than driving a modern car for a year!

With an eye on changing these terrible stats, and making winter wonderland safe and even more enjoyable for everyone, the Keweenaw Research Center, a research arm of Michigan Technological University and the Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Department also of Michigan Tech recently hosted the SAE 2007 Clean Snowmobile Challenge. Students from all across North America met in Houghton to test their ideas on how to create the quietest machine with the cleanest emissions while not sacrificing performance. The contest included an endurance run, a cold-start test, time-trial drag races, emissions and sound tests, and a diverse obstacle course with handling reviews done by snowmobile company representatives. Bystanders really enjoyed watching the ethanol powered machines compete - their exhaust smelled faintly like hot buttered popcorn!

Idaho brought home the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association’s first place award for their team’s two-stroke Rotax DI engine, powered by E10 (fuel that is 90 per cent gas and 10 per cent ethanol). Their machine racked up an impressive 19.6 miles-per-gallon. Next best mileage was 18.2 mpg by the University of Maine’s team, followed by the University of Minnesota at Duluth’s 14.3 mpg; both of these competitors used four-stroke engines powered by E10. There was also a zero-emissions (electric) snowmobile winner, McGill University. The snowmobile that won the internal combustion emission event (for the lowest emissions) was the 3-cylinder diesel-powered snowmobile entered by the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY-Buffalo) using biodiesel. Yes, a compression ignition internal combustion engine, like those Bombardier used in their 12-passenger (B-12) snowmobiles of the early 1950s, but a lot quieter, cleaner, and more efficient. The 2008 Challenge participants won’t have a choice. Next year, all teams will be required to use a renewable fuel, such as E85 or biodiesel.

It’s worth reporting here that Howard Haines authored an excellent paper in 1995 in which he reported on tests done by the Montana DEQ when it partnered with the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association (ISMA) and others to develop a two-part program to evaluate commercially available biomass-based fuels and lubricants in snowmobile engines. Their data shows that ethanol-blended gasoline with conventional lube oil produced 16 per cent fewer hydrocarbons, 9 per cent less carbon monoxide, and 24 per cent less particulate matter than gasoline. Oxides of nitrogen (NOX) are naturally low from two-stroke engines. Their ground breaking experiment confirmed long ago that the ethanol blends can reduce emissions.

Here in Canada, GreenField Ethanol's web site actually mentions snowmobiles in response to the question ‘Can all North American vehicles use ethanol?’ As E10 is the only commercially available blend in Canada at this time, it must be assumed that this is the mixture they’re advocating.

The Canadian Council of Snowmobile Associations seems to be vaguely aware of ethanol, and they encourage their members to embrace new technology. They state that snowmobiles account for less than 1 per cent of all the motor fuel burned annually in Canada. 'New technologies, such as 4-stroke engines and direct injection, are making this quintessentially Canadian recreational activity ever cleaner.' A few years ago the CCSO embarked on an ambitious educational initiative, reaffirming their commitment to practice the following responsible riding behaviors:

• Leave Tracks, Not Trash
• Maintain Your Sled
• Protect Wildlife
• Leave Your Sled Unmodified
• Stay on the Trail
• Respect Sensitive Areas
• Embrace New Technologies

A political resource, the CCSA web site reminds Canadians that snowmobiling generates over three billion dollars worth of tourism in remote ‘snowbelt communities’ that would otherwise be left out in the cold. The ethanol powered snowmobile may be a few years away from actualization in Canada, but with 868 registered snowmobile dealerships, 135,771 kms of marked trails, and approximately 729,269 registered snowmobiles 2 the market for quiet ‘hot buttered popcorn’ smelling exhaust has never been stronger. Roberrific

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