In response to increasing concern about snowmobile noise and air pollution in environmentally sensitive areas, Teton County Wyoming Commissioner Bill Paddleford and environmental engineer Dr. Lori Fussell worked with The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to form and organize a new intercollegiate design competition, the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge 2000 (CSC2000). Major sponsors of the CSC2000 included WestStart, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Teton County Wyoming, SAE, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and Flagg Ranch Resort.
The goal of the CSC2000 was to develop a snowmobile with improved emission and noise characteristics that did not sacrifice performance. Modifications were expected to be cost effective and practical.
The CSC2000 was held in and around Jackson Hole, Wyoming from March 20 - 31, 2000. Participating universities competed against each other in the categories of emissions, fuel economy/range, noise, acceleration, handling, cold-start, hill climb, engineering design paper, oral presentation, and static display. Points were awarded to teams based on their performance in each of the events.
The University at Buffalo won the CSC2000 with a snowmobile featuring a four-stroke engine and catalytic aftertreatment. This first-place entry was successful at reducing noise and emissions while simultaneously improving fuel economy. However, it did experience some loss of performance capability.
The University of Waterloo took second place in the CSC2000 with a snowmobile featuring an advanced two-stroke engine and catalytic aftertreatment. The Waterloo entry significantly reduced emissions while simultaneously improving performance and fuel economy. However, noise from this entry did not meet competition standards.