News & Events
Kangan Batman TAFE is up to the challenge - update
Monday 26 October 2009
Suzuki's Eco Green Challenge Alto team, with the expert technical assistance of Kangan Batman TAFE's motorsports students and teachers, is proving the car to beat, as the race heads down through the red centre. On just day two of the race, the Suzuki Alto is performing at lower than advertised fuel consumption figures of 4.8l/100km. From Darwin to Katherine the fuel consumption was 4.09l/100km and from Katherine to Tennant Creek 3.99l/100km. Today the event travels to Alice Springs.
Keep up with the team's progress at Alto Green Challenge Youtube
Monday 19 October 2009
When Suzuki's team Alto hits the road in this year's Global Green Eco Challenge, it will be relying heavily on the skills and knowledge of Kangan Batman TAFE motorsports students.
The keen students have been working away busily over the past few weeks, preparing the Suzuki Alto for the 2009 challenge which starts in Darwin on Saturday October 24 and travels down through the red heart of Australia to finish in Adelaide.
Motorsports teacher Greg Moulden says the students have provided technical support for the Suzuki team in the lead-up to the event, with two students joining the travelling team to monitor and service the car during the challenge.
As one of the team's drivers, Greg is all too aware of how tough the race will be.
"We've got some 3000 kilometres to get through before we reach the end, so our skills as drivers and those of our students and support team will really be put to the test," he says.
"We'll be up against some of the most advanced car designs, with companies like Ford, Volvo, Holden and BMW also taking part."
This year's event will feature around 20 electric, hybrid, alternative fuel, and low-emission production and prototype vehicles.
Greg is confident that with all the work the students have put into the car's pre-race preparation, the Alto will be even more economical than the predicted 4.4 litres to each 100 kilometres.
"We've done quite a bit of analysis and data collection in a wind tunnel to work out how to maximise the fuel efficiency," he says.
Eco Challenge entrants will compete over set 'stages' with overnight stops at Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, Coober Pedy, and Port Augusta.
Kangan Batman TAFE's motorsports department is big on providing hands-on experience for keen students, with participation in a range of sports events across the yearly calendar, including the recent Victorian State Circuit Racing Championships.
"By its very nature, the motorsports training we do here at Kangan Batman TAFE is very hands-on, so taking part in these types of events is all part and parcel of the course," Greg says.
"The students get a lot out of real-life experience, working on race cars and taking part in nation-wide events."
Once the Eco Challenge gets underway, Kangan Batman TAFE students and staff members will be keeping pace with Team Suzuki via regular web updates at www.globalgreenchallenge.com.au.
