PH bet UPHS ALTAS Valor in high spirits at Shell Eco-Marathon Asia Pacific and Middle East 2023

Student participants from the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) remain in high spirits after joining the Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East 2023.

This, as the UPHSD Altas Valor was able to pass the detailed technical inspection after four years of vigorous attempts.

Per Shell Philippines Corporation (SPC), the aforementioned team was able to beat the deadline last July 7, which is their ticket to hit the track the following day. “This was after several attempts at passing the inspections and with the help and support of participants from other countries,” SPC shared.

ALTAS Valor Team Manager Jacob Moises Torres said that the team is using the achievement as motivation to strive more towards achieving a win in the next year's competition. “We will make sure that we will redeem ourselves from the challenges we experienced this year,” he said.

He also thanked the other teams that supported them in fixing the technical issues since the vehicle arrived last July 4.

“Even if we are competitors, they willingly helped us to pass the technical inspection,” Torres said.

One of the participating teams at the competition, S.U. Racing Team from Kazhakstan, helped the Filipinos address the brake system problem, giving the latter the opportunity to hit the track.

“We were in the same situation before, so we know how difficult it is to find parts for your cars. Some teams helped us before and when we can help, we try to help other teams with their challenges because we think that teams should never give up,” S.U. Racing Team Manager Alibek Ibraim explained.

According to Race Director Pepon Marave, all competing vehicles go through several stages of inspection. “This is all about passing the checkpoints. You only do that if you have a thorough and deep understanding of the rules and you can implement the rules properly,” he said.

Meanwhile, Polytechnic University of the Philippines Hygears — another team from the Philippines — was unable to hit the track for the year. However, Team Manager Nicole Rose Tugay said that the setback made them more eager for a comeback next year.

“I will make sure that I will reach out to them and help in whatever way I can. Especially because I have seen how this competition can help us understand the importance of innovation and collaboration,” Tugay added.

This year, a total of 76 teams from 13 countries joined Shell Eco-marathon Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

Shell Eco-marathon Global General Manager Norman Koch said that he was “extremely impressed” to see the high standard of performance and the innovative ideas that the participants can come up with. “Despite encountering numerous challenges throughout the competition, they persevered and achieved exceptional results in designing energy-efficient vehicles,” he noted.

Winners announced

Per SPC, the victors for the three subcategories of Urban Concept vehicles were all from Indonesia. The Indonesian student team, Semar Urban UGM, won the top prize in the hydrogen fuel cell category for the first time. Those who participate under the Urban Concept classification showcased that their entries could achieve energy efficiency despite the resemblance to normal passenger vehicles.   

Teams from Thailand, South Korea, and Indonesia received accolades under the Prototype vehicle group.

Aside from the winners from the two categories, six off-track winners were also hailed in the event. One of the awards, the Spirit of Shell Eco-marathon award, was given to S.U. Racing Team.

SPC stated that the accolade was conferred as recognition to students who utilize their skills to contribute to the welfare of others.

The four teams in the Urban Concept vehicle category from Singapore and Indonesia successfully qualified for the World Championship, which is set on October 10-12 in India.

Photos from Shell Philippines Corporation, Ruben Manahan IV

Also read:

PH teams eye great finish at 2023 Shell Eco-marathon

PUP, UPHSD students to serve as PH bets in 2023 Shell Eco-marathon

DLSU team places 3rd in 2021 Shell Eco-marathon Virtual League challenge