When speed is not the name of the game

If you challenge the mind of the youth to put to the test their technical skills and creative prowess, expect results that will stun you. Especially if you ask them to turn their childhood dreams of building futuristic cars into reality.

At the recently concluded Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2011, the racetracks of the Sepang International Circuit — yes, where Formula 1 races are held — became the launching pad where the region’s brightest engineering students drove cars that they, well, built for endless days and nights from scratch. However, the competition, where students showcased their competence and dexterity in building their own cars, was not about speed; it was about distance. The challenge actually was about Shell’s global quest for young minds to design and build a vehicle that could travel the farthest distance using the least amount of fuel.

Yes, Shell Eco-Marathon is also about fuel conservation — it’s the first thing that’s ingrained in the heart and soul of the 94 student teams from 12 countries in Asia that competed on the racetracks of Sepang International Circuit. The top engineering students from Malaysia, Singapore, China, Japan, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Pakistan and the Philippines were enjoined to compete in two categories: urban concept and prototype. The urban concept focuses on roadworthy fuel-efficient vehicles while the prototype involves futuristic, streamlined vehicles that focus on maximizing fuel efficiency through innovative design elements.

Team Philippines fielded students from the top engineering schools in the country: University of the Philippines (with its car called “Kidlat”), Mapua Institute of Technology (with two entries, “Amihan” and “Habagat”), De La Salle University (“DLSU100”), University of Santo Tomas (“Tiger 400”), Technological Institute of the Philippines (“Insignia”) and Don Bosco Technical College (“Grigio”).

“The Shell Eco-Marathon experience provides a unique experience to our students — one that they will not gain in their normal academic life. It is something that will challenge their theoretical and practical faculties, and hopefully will help mold them into more rounded and balanced individuals,” said Suiee Suarez, Pilipinas Shell sustainable development manager.

Though energy conservation is a serious business, the students who joined the competition found out that learning to conserve energy could also be fun and inspiring.

So inspired were the engineering students from the University of the Philippines that they brought home the Diesel Fuel Award for their urban concept vehicle called “Kidlat.” Because safety is also so much part of the competition, Mapua’s Team “Amihan” won second prize for the Safety Award.

Running on a diesel-hybrid engine, UP’s “Kidlat” impressively recorded an efficiency performance of 60 kilometers per liter. In layman’s term, as Shell explained it in its latest ad, Kidlat’s fuel efficiency performance is enough to drive from Manila to Calamba, Laguna on one liter of diesel fuel.

“With this accomplishment,” said Pax Lapid, godfather of the Team UP, “these young minds proved that there is an opportunity for the Filipino engineers to build a people’s car. ‘Kidlat’ is proof that there is a potential to make a Filipino car.” Lapid added that Team UP, in preparation to further bolster its chances in the Shell Eco-Marathon 2012, is slated to compete at the International Bosch Cordless Race in Beijing, China in September.  

On the other hand, Mapua’s “Amihan” was accorded the Safety Award recognition for its exemplary safety performance during the competition, demonstration of extensive effort to comply with safety rules and integration of safety considerations into their vehicle design and construction. 

“We are proud to be providing this distinct challenge to our very able, willing and talented teams. We join their spirit of pride in our country, as we all interact with other equally worthy competitors from other Asian countries,” said Suarez.

Witnessing Shell Eco-Marathon is like attending an international quiz bee in action. Questions are not read; they are ingrained in the head. If speed is not the name of the game, how far can you go using the least amount of fuel?

There, at the racetracks of Sepang International Circuit, the talent and creativity of the brightest engineering students from Asia took the challenge to satisfactorily answer the question.

(E-mail me at bumbaki@yahoo.com. You may also follow me on Twitter @bum_tenorio. Have a blessed Sunday!)