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9/24/2017 0 Comments track side action 24SEP17After a lengthy delay to the start, due to a severe wind warning that bought gusts of around 65km/h, the 'Grand Prix' of Human Powered Vehicle Racing was cleared to start at 4pm. Students quickly assembled at 'crash corner' to witness the thrills and spills when 206 cars negotiate a tight S bend in the track. Our Navigator College teams quickly settled into their race routines and emerged from their stint on the track buzzing from the challenge of managing multiple evasive maneouvres. Some were not as successful anticipating all of the changes in speed, gears and quick thinking needed to remain incident free, when averaging between 25 and 40 kilometres per hour. Our cars quickly started to show the evidence of 'contact' on the track. The speed of cars like 'Relentless', 'Toothless' and 'Donald Trump Trikes' was spellbinding. These vehicles consistently averaged around the 65 kilometres per hour mark. Professional riders certainly provided an incredible display of precision driving and over the course of the race their cars showed the paint scrapes and bruises consistent with multiple roll overs and continuous riding on the 'edge'. Night time was a huge challenge for our teams. This event is a 24 hour race and at all times a rider needs to be clocking laps. Riders were allocated into teams, to then be responsible for covering a 1.5 - 2 hour block of time. Riders increased their time on the track with the 6-7's averaging 5 continuous 1.7km loops before handing over to another team mate. Students fell asleep sitting up, shared where a crazy dream was interrupted and made a monumentous effort to keep their team mates spirits focused on the job of keeping the car rolling. It was cold, dark and challenging riding, with just the red tail light of the car in front leading the way. Serious racing teams did not relent through the night in their determination to stay on top of the lap and speed counters. There was a relatively serious crash that saw a driver from an unknown team receive specialist medical attention from the on sight fire and ambulance teams. After witnessing the crash and extensive response of race marshals and medical teams, our riders were relieved to discover that the rider had suffered a dislocated shoulder in the roll over rather than something more serious. Once the tack was cleared the race was quickly resumed. The chill of pre-dawn arrived and it wasn't long before the warmth of the sun thawed cold bodies. Coffee, hot milo and herbal teas warmed tummies and the smell of bacon and eggs signaled that there was still plenty of work to be done. As the morning progressed, the intensity of racing rose to a whole new level as teams processed their race data and projected final placings. The top teams stopped at nothing to achieve their team goals; whether it be to set a new lap record, extend their category lead or cement their position on the top of the ladder. Cooper Bishop and Aaron Thomas took their position as our final team riders and before we knew it 12 noon had arrived, the chequered flag was waved and victorious teams commenced their celebration lap. This will not be the last time Navigator College fields a Middle School Team in the HPV International Race Series. Students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and thrived.
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AuthorThe creative content of this blog has been developed by students and staff of Navigator College who are involved in the 2017 Pedal Prix team. New contributors and guest contributors are welcome to submit possible news worthy items to our media team for consideration. Email [email protected] with your photos, videos or story ideas. Archives
September 2017
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