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Media Release

September 14 2009

Team UniSA gears up for 24-hour Pedal Prix

Rob Schulz is part of Team UniSA competing in this weekend's Pedal PrixTeam UniSA is gearing up for its toughest challenge yet in the 2009 UniSA Australian HPV Super Series at Murray Bridge this weekend.
 
The team of six UniSA students will spend 24-hours putting the pedal to the metal in their Human Powered Vehicle (HPV) at Murray Bridge from 12 noon on Saturday (September 19).
 
They’ll be racing against a record 230 teams in the biggest ‘Pedal Prix’ event ever held, not just in South Australia, but in the world, according to event chairman Andrew McLachlan.
 
“We’re expecting a crowd of around 30,000 at Murray Bridge from the Friday to Sunday, with Premier Mike Rann set to wave the flag to start the race,” McLachlan said.
 
“We’re also proud to have the UniSA inflatable arch as the official start and finish line, acknowledging UniSA’s involvement in this great event.”
 
UniSA signed on as a lead sponsor for the Pedal Prix in May, with Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Høj saying the event was a perfect fit for the university.
 
“The Australian HPV Super Series encapsulates many of UniSA’s core values around education, the development of sustainable communities, healthy lifestyles, communication and teamwork, and research and innovation,” Prof Høj said.
 
In July, UniSA’s involvement in the event reached another level with Team UniSA joining the competition.
 
Team UniSA manager Brian McAvaney said his crew was looking forward to the 24-hour event. The team comprises McAvaney, Rob Schulz, Harmohan Singh, Andrew Coles, Phillip Chen and John Ho.
 
“We finished in the top 25 per cent in Round 2 and while we would have loved to have come top 10, we were a first-time team competing against some real quality opposition, and we felt we did pretty well,” McAvaney said. “We’ve been putting in a bit more training and, winning aside, a steady improvement in things is always a good goal to be achieving, and I think we can certainly do that.”
 
McAvaney said the team was enjoying the experience of participating in the Pedal Prix. “The event is unique and, as someone studying mechanical engineering, I know this is an area where any future student could effectively apply their craft,” he said. “I’ve been able to take away a few things which I’m sure will help me in the future.”

 


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