Perodua Eco-Challenge 2012, New challenges for institutions participating

The 4th installment of the Perodua Eco-Challenge is back with all the 13 institutions of higher learning that took part in the 2011 event competing again for honours this year. The hottest race among the participating institutions of higher learning in Malaysia will be held at the same venue Melaka International Motorsport Circuit, Ayer Keroh Melaka on 15 July 2012. Perodua has cranked up this year’s competition by adding 2 new categories – Time Attack and Overall Champion – in addition to the Design and Engineering and Longest Distance categories as in the previous years’ races.
The participating teams have to improve on their last year’s race vehicle based on the buggy concept built using a ViVA 660cc engine given last year  The participating teams are defending champions Politeknik Ungku Omar (winner of longest distance), Universiti Tekonologi Malaysia (winner of engineering category) and Universiti Malaysia Pahang ( winner of design and participation category).
The others are Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia Spanish Institute, Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Tenaga Nasional and Universiti Industri Selangor. Also taking part are Politeknik Port Dickson, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.
The total prize money for this year’s race has been increased to RM91,000 from RM77,000 last year to cater for the 2 new categories. For the overall winner category, they will take home RM20,000. The winner of the 3 categories, Design and Engineering, Longest Distance and Time Attack will drive away with RM10,000 each, 1st runner up RM8,000 each and second runner-up RM7,000 each. Teams placed 4th and 5th in the longest distance category will receive RM1,000 each.