MIE Flamobile Competition Rules

 The judge's responsibilities will include the following:

• Evaluate the safety of the apparatus
• Verify the measure the distance of a candle from the start line
• Two award bonuses when applicable

The objective of the competition will be to build a MOUSETRAP CAR that will send a lit candle the furthest distance down a track. A standard birthday candle will be provided to each contestant at the competition site.  Only one candle is given per contestant.  Only the straight distance along the track is recorded (i.e. parallel to track while car remains on track...).

 The requirements are as follows:

• The apparatus must safely hold the lit flame
• Scoring will be based on distance from the center of the starting line
• Only individual entries are accepted
• There may only be one entry per student
• All contestants must be an undergraduate enrolled in a MIE department program

 A contestant may be disqualified from the event for any of the following reasons:

• The apparatus is in violation of fire safety as determined by the judges.
• If the candle blows out any time from the launch to complete stop.
• If any contestant exhibits unethical behavior.

Kits and mousetraps are available but supplies are limited.  A birthday candle can also be provided for testing.

The longest distance will be determined out of the best run of two tries.  Up to a two-foot bonus may be awarded for an original design (from scratch) or for a design, which shows a significant modification to the kit design.