Perodua this morning kicked off its 3rd installment of its one-of-a-kind Eco-Challenge competition this year by handing over one engine and one transmission system each to 13 participants from selected institutions of higher learning. The participating institutions, consisting of public and private higher education bodies, are selected based on their entry proposals. A total of 23 institutions sent in their proposals for this year’s Perodua Eco-Challenge.
The main objective of the Perodua Eco-Challenge 2011 is to provide a training ground for undergraduates to challenge their engineering prowess and to promote innovativeness among local students. “The Perodua Eco-Challenge is very unique because it not only promotes innovativeness and creativity from its participants but also underscore the importance of conservation by coming with practical means to meet with the growing energy crisis,” Perodua Managing Director, Datuk Aminar Rashid Salleh said.
The event is witnessed by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education I, Y.B. Dato’ Dr. Hou Kok Chung. The participants have 5 months after the handover of the engine and transmission system to produce a car that can go the farthest with 1 litre of petrol. Their design will be put to a race at the Melaka International Motorsports Circuit on 25th of June this year.
Aminar said that the Perodua Eco-Challenge this year is different from the first 2 events whereby the contestants are only given the engine and transmission system. “Other changes include the seed money given. In the first 2 races, each institution of higher learning gets RM10,000 to modify their respective car. This year each team will be given RM17,500,” he said. He added that Perodua has allocated about RM1.2 million for this year’s Eco-Challenge programme. Aminar said the participants are also given a longer contest period as the previous handovers were done in late February, this year the contestants are given an extra month to prepare before the race day on 25 of June.
“A total of RM77,000 has been allocated for prizes at this year’s Eco-Challenge with the longest distance winners taking home RM20,000. As this year’s challenge is more on engineering, the winners of this category will be taking home RM15,000; RM5,000 more prize money than last year!” he said. The participating institutions of higher learning include returning contenders – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Universiti Industri Selangor and Politeknik Engku Omar. While new entries include Politeknik Port Dickson, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka.
