Thirteen student teams from universities in the U.S. and Canada will compete in the six-day event with snowmobiles modified to reduce noise and emissions levels.

The goal of the competition is to develop snowmobiles that are acceptable for use in environmentally sensitive areas. Snowmobiles entered in the program are required to run quiet and emit significantly less unburned hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide than conventional snowmobiles.

Technical inspections and team check-ins take place on Monday, March 14. An endurance and fuel-economy event will be run from Calumet to Copper Harbor, Mich., on Tuesday. Cold start, noise and emissions tests will take place on Thursday and Friday. Other events include design presentations and static displays, as well as two new "graded" ergonomic competitions: Rider Comfort and Subjective Handling.

Teams registered for the international competition include U.S. entries from Clarkson University (Potsdam, NY), Kettering University (Flint, MI), Michigan Technological University (Houghton), Minnesota State University (Mankato), Montana Tech (Butte), SUNY-Buffalo, University of Idaho (Moscow), University of Wisconsin-Platteville, last year's overall winner the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and fuel-economy winner the University of Maine (Orno).

Canadian entries include Ecole de Technologies Superieure (Montreal), McGill University (Montreal) and the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alberta).

MTU is hosting the competition for the third year in a row. Gage Products Company, a global supplier of test fuels, paint solvents and paint- system recycling programs for the automotive industry, will provide specially blended fuel for the event and present an award for best overall fuel economy. The company has been a Clean Snowmobile Challenge sponsor for three consecutive years.

Society of Automotive Engineers celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. Founded in Manhattan on Jan. 20, 1905, the organization sets the specs for everything from engine-oil viscosity to airbrake standards.