Hybrid Race Champions Dominate Maryborough

eb_2015The Girton Racing Team dominated the Hybrid category of the weekend’s RACV Energy Breakthrough event in Maryborough by winning Best Design and Construction, the Hybrid Open Category Trial and the Hybrid Open Category race.

Despite the whole cart and motor being stripped and rebuilt on three occasions during the race, the team went on to beat long time champions of this event, Cobden Technical School, who had 3 vehicles in the category.

Headmaster of Girton Grammar School, Mr Matthew Maruff, said that the results of this race are testament to the expertise of the team and perfect preparation for the forthcoming Shell Eco Marathon in Manila.

“This team is unbelievable. They are the only high school team in Australia to be selected to compete in Manila, and now we know why.

“Having won their category in the RACV Energy Breakthrough event for three year’s running, this year, they decided to challenge themselves in a new category and now they have outdone themselves.

“The technical requirements of vehicle that runs on both battery and petrol is pretty mind-blowing.

“For students aged 14-17 years old to design and build a vehicle of just 67kg in weight is amazing. Most other vehicles in the race were nearer to 85kg.

“The vehicle was the only one at the event with solar panels and a thermo electric generator that converts the waste heat from the engine exhaust of the vehicle into electrical energy which is fed back into the batteries, not unlike in Formula One racing. In fact GM and BMW are both currently trialing this incredible technology.

“The design and building of this vehicle has been done entirely on the students own time as a co-curricular subject, with assistance from parents and teachers.

“The student and parent commitment to this event is second-to-none and endless hours have been spent perfecting the vehicle design,” Mr Maruff said.

The Girton Racing Team will now begin building a highly technical, extremely fuel efficient and super lightweight vehicle to compete in Manila in March 2016. The vehicle will need to be shipped to the Philippines and the team is seeking sponsorship to compete in the prestigious international event.

To enquire about opportunities to sponsor the team to compete in Manila next year, contact Nigel Vernon on (03) 5441 3114.