Sikat II seeks podium finish in world solar race today

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Sikat II Updates :

Glendambo, South Australia – The Philippines’ Sikat II has reached eight of the nine control stops of the 2013 World Solar Challenge, the global solar car race currently being held in the Australian continent. 

The country’s representative to the biennial event travelled a total of 2,171 solar miles, keeping its third place ranking in the Adventure Class. A solar mile is the distance traveled by a vehicle relying solely on the sun’s energy.

Sikat II is expected to reach the finish line in Adelaide on October 11.

Team Manager Dr. Alvin Culaba is hopeful that the Philippines will be among the top finishers. “The race to the finish line is exciting because we are being challenged by the unpredictable weather, but the team is confident that we will cross the finish line with the world’s best. 

Team Sikat Solar Philippines is composed of a core group of mechanical and electrical engineering students and faculty members from De La Salle University. Additional improvements, which took seven months to complete, were applied to Sikat II to make it race-ready for WSC 2013.

First Phil Holdings, First Gen, Energy Development Corporation, Sunpower, Ufreight, Shell, and Motolite helped make the improved Sikat II possible.

The solar car team wishes to further the cause of promoting the use of renewable energy and clean technologies in the field of transportation. 

Started in 1987, the World Solar Challenge has been a strong platform for young engineers and scientists from all over the world for the pursuing the ideals of sustainable transport. Forty-two teams from 24 countries are competing this year.

The Philippines is race-ready Sikat II gets pole position in World Solar Challenge

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Team Sikat Solar Philippines @World Solar Challenge updates: 

Darwin, Australia -- Sikat II, the country’s representative to the 2013 World Solar Challenge (WSC) in Australia, reached another milestone when it placed first in its class during the qualifying round of the world’s biggest solar car competition held at Hidden Valley Raceway on October 5. 

The Philippines clocked 2:30.53, beating closest competitor Team Aurora of Australia which timed 2:32.95. There are five other solar cars participating in the Adventure class. 

This achievement earned Sikat II the pole position in the biennial meet, beginning October 6in this Northern Territory city and will end in Adelaide on October 11. It covers 3,021 kilometers of the Australian Outback. 

This is the best performance of the Philippines in the qualifying round since it joined the WSC in 2007. Sinag placed 12th that year while Sikat ranked 19th in 2011. 

“I’m estatic that we reached the coveted pole position. The whole team has prepared hard for the past few days so I’m very happy,” says Carl Mamawal, Sikat II main driver. 

A core group of 20 mechanical and electrical engineering students and six faculty members from De La Salle University modified and made some improvements to the 2011 Sikat II car. 

First Phil Holdings, First Gen, Energy Development Corporation, Sunpower, Ufreight, Shell, and Motolite helped make the improved Sikat II possible. 

A total of 42 teams from 24 countries are joining in this year’s WSC, competing in three classes. 

For updated news and information on Sikat II and Team Sikat Solar Philippines, go to Facebook: Team Solar Philippines, and Twitter and Instagram: SikatSolarPh.