Western Power’s annual Solar Model Car Challenge took over Forrest Place in Perth in October, with Girrawheen Senior High School crowned WA’s champion solar speedsters.
Posting a record time of 16.71 seconds, a full second faster than the fastest car at the New South Wales event, Girrawheen’s lime green model car ‘Explora’ carved through the field to take the title.
The Solar Model Car Challenge, now in its 18th year, was a fantastic success, with large crowds gathering to watch the action over the two days as the custom-built cars rocketed around the 85 metre figure-of-eight track.
Phil Southwell, General Manager Strategy and Corporate Affairs presented the winners and three runner-up teams with their prizes.
"It has been a great event over the past two days and it’s been fantastic to see so many schools from metro and regional areas taking part in this renewable energy challenge,” Phil said.
"When we began the Solar Model Car Challenge in 1992 we had 15 cars enter. This year we’ve had 34 entries, so it shows how important and popular this competition is for high school students.
"Congratulations to our winners and well done to all the students, teachers, scrutineers and volunteers who took part in the event. It's a pity all the schools can’t win, but I hope the Solar Model Car Challenge has inspired our young people to take an interest in engineering and renewable energy, which is such an important part of our State’s future," said Phil.
After taking first place, Girrawheen Senior High School was also awarded the best poster by our judges from Scitech. The scrutineers awarded Shenton College the most creative car for their innovation in using a solar and wind powered propulsion instead of electric.
This year's event was sponsored by Nova 93.7 Radio Station, Engineering Australia, Murdoch University, Curtin University and Cool, Clear Water and we look forward to their support to make the event even bigger and better next year.
| 1st place | Girrawheen Senior High School 'Explora' with a time of 17.53 seconds - $500 cash prize, perpetual trophy, trophy, framed certificate and hydrogen fuel cell car |
| 2nd place | Aquinas College 'Nemphis Mensa' - trophy and framed certificate |
| 3rd place | Winthrop Baptist College 'Solar Storm' - trophy and framed certificate |
| 4th place | Guildford Grammar School 'GGS1' - trophy and framed certificate |
| Fastest qualifier | Girrawheen Senior High School 'Explora' - framed certificate and $250 cash prize donated by Engineers Australia |
| Best poster | Girrawheen Senior High School 'Horizon 3' (as judged by Scitech) - framed certificate and plasma ball with voice activation (donated by Scitech) |
| Most creative car | Shenton College 'Emoticon' (used solar and wind powered propulsion instead of electrical) - framed certificate and hydrogen fuel cell car |
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Page update on 13 January 2010
