RACV Energy Breakthrough 2015 – Sunday Daily Wrap
EBTV's fourth and final Daily Wrap is now online! For an entire visual re-cap of the 2015 RACV Energy Breakthrough watch the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZsui3_5ZupZagPLx1y31JJxl4VQ_67SJWe'd also like to thank all the sponsors, volunteers, teachers and parents who made the weekend possible and congratulate all the students involved in an incredible 25th anniversary year of the RACV Energy Breakthrough.
Posted by RACV Energy Breakthrough on Monday, 23 November 2015
Congratulations to everyone – win, lose or draw in this year’s 25th RACV Energy Breakthrough. You survived some very hot and dry weather, but all persevered in the spirit of the event!
It was an exciting finish to the 2015 RACV Energy Breakthrough 24-hour endurance with Rode RAGE (Ride Against Greenhouse Emissions) pedal-electric Energy Efficient Vehicle sneaking over the line; just four laps ahead of Woodleigh School’s Human Powered Vehicle (HPV).
Rode Rage completed the most laps of all the teams, going around the circuit an impressive 583 times over a distance of more than 900 kilometres.
Third placed in the trial was St Margaret’s School & Berwick Grammar School in the 24-hour Human Powered Vehicle Open category.
It was a mixed bag of weather conditions with a scorching 37 degrees on Thursday kicking off the four days of events at Princes Park in Maryborough followed by a cool, showery and stormy Friday. On Saturday the sun broke through for the start of the 24-hour endurance race.
Schools Event convener John Stafford said the weather threw out a few challenges across the event but once again the school teams showed fantastic spirit and endurance.
“There were a few changes this year. The expansion of the RACV track allowed more teams to compete on both the main track and on the Holden track and we are very pleased that it all went so smoothly.
“Over the four days students have demonstrated their understanding of science, technology and the environment and the way these young people have represented their schools and communities is a credit to all of them,” he said.
A total of 150 schools and in excess of 6000 people including students, teachers and parents competed in human, energy efficient and hybrid-powered competition as well as more humble pushcarts. More than 10,000 spectators turned out to support the students and enjoy the action.
During the year students and teachers designed and built their environmentally friendly vehicles as part of the school’s curriculum, often with the help of parents and local industry.
Competitors also develop teamwork skills, improve their fitness, and learn about the importance of a healthy diet and regular physical exercise as part of their training for the event.
RACV Event Co-ordinator Ernest Litera said teams continued to impress the organisers with their well thought out vehicle construction and design.
“The quality of the vehicles was again outstanding. The event is all about teamwork through all aspects of the trial and it’s evident that goal is being met by the teams and the schools involved,” he said.
The success of RACV Energy Breakthrough was again recognised at the Victorian Tourism Awards
taking out the silver award in the state’s Best Event or Festival category.
“This award recognises the quality of the event and the contribution RACV Energy Breakthrough makes to Maryborough and the state’s tourism industry,” Mr Litera said.
Energy Breakthrough involves three stages – presentations to judges, scrutineering and design assessment of the vehicles by RACV technical staff and track events for various categories.
The event has become renowned as Australia’s “Green Grand Prix”, the premier science, technology and environment event sparking student interest in these areas by offering a hands-on experience.
“This success has been possible thanks to the hard work by scores of volunteers; RACV staff, our partners at Central Goldfields Shire and the Country Education Project. We would also like to thank our principal sponsors at Holden, VicRoads, the Victorian Education Department, Bank Australia, La Trobe University, Capilano and True Foods.”
Provisional results are now available. View Here >
As a member of the Austin 7 Club officials team, that have worked at the event over the last 24 years, and a regular motor sport official (for 50 years) I find this event the most rewarding.
I am also Editor of our club magazine, and I am seeking permission to publish Lachlan Hickey’s report of the event in its entirety.
Thanks Robert Humphreys
Editor – Austin 7 Club Inc
Great event as usual. Admin team did a good job. But…………….
Was very disappointed by the lack of respect shown by some teams for yellow flags. I personally watched teams passing multiple trikes after passing three or more yellow flags. Certainly helps teams finish up the order……………
Of a greater concern was the danger to the volunteer officials. I have seen a video of an official attending to a upside down trike diving to safety because of a trike passing at racing speed, even though every other trike had slowed down. I personally reported a number of teams for passing/speeding under yellow flags – not once did I see a team penalized in four ours of volunteering. I need to think about whether I will be volunteering next year.
Thanks Colin,
I will submit this for review by the planning committee.
Lachy