October 23, 2007: SINAG Approaches Halfway Mark at 11th Place

October 23, 2007 –SINAG, the Philippines’ first fully-functional solar car and the country’s first entry to the prestigious World Solar Challenge, is just 400km away from the halfway point on its historic 3,000km journey across Australia. Since the start of the Challenge, SINAG has jumped to 11th place and continues to maintain this lead as it makes its way to Alice Springs, the course’s halfway point.

According to SINAG’s technical personnel, the solar car has been performing better than expected since the start of the race on October 21, Sunday. SINAG was easily able to surpass the 1,000km mark without needing to rely on auxiliary power –an option which, although allowed by contest rules, would result in a reduction of the team’s overall score.

The team has also managed to correct a minor problem with SINAG’s brake system which was causing the car’s tires to wear out faster than expected, prompting frequent tire changes. Since then, Team SINAG has experienced no further major technical difficulties and has more than made up for lost time.

Team SINAG will be stopping over for the night between Tennant Creek and Wauchope, but is anticipated to reach Alice Springs well before the 5pm deadline tomorrow, Oct. 24, Wednesday.

The SINAG solar car was designed and built by a group of dedicated faculty and students from the Mechanical Engineering and the Electronics and Communications Engineering Departments of De La Salle University –Manila, with the support of Ford Group Philippines, Motolite, Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Corporation, Shell, SunPower, U-Freight, and Ventus. The project is also supported by Aurora, Cabrera Lavadia and Associates, JWT, CreAsia, Merritt Partners, Tuason Racing School, Gochermann Solar Technology, and Stratworks.



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Team SINAG in Australian Radio

Team Sinag has made a name on the Australian airwaves when it guested today at Radio Larrakia 94.5FM in Darwin, Australia. Three members of the team, namely Prof. Rene Fernandez, Prince Ang and Kaiser Fernandez, were interviewed by Filipino anchor Judith Ventic in her weekly program "Radyo Filipino," aired over different towns and cities across the Northern Territory.

"We are happy to inform the entire Filipino community here in Australia that the Philippines is very much ready for the 20th World Solar Challenge," said Prof. Fernandez.

Asked about the country's chances in winning the race, Kaiser told radio listeners that it is not all about winning for the Philippine Team. "Passing the scrutineering tomorrow and making it into the race from Darwin to Adelaide are the goals that we have right now," he said.

The team was also given the opportunity to invite members of the Filipino community in Darwin to witness and show their support at the opening of the race on Sunday, October 21 at the Parliament House area near the Esplanade.

"We all hope for your support by waving the Philippine flag on Sunday. We hope to see you there!," Prince Ang said.

Originally posted by SINAG@WSC @ 5:50 AM (THURSDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2007)

October 15, Darwin, Australia

SINAG, the Philippines' first solar-powered car, completed its first test run on the race track of Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex on a Tuesday afternoon. The driver, 20-year-old Ivan Porcalla, easily finished the 5-lap, 5km course at an average speed of 90kph. SINAG is capable of a top speed of 100kph.

SINAG will compete in the 20th Panasonic World Solar Challenge on October 21-28, to be participated in by more than 40 solar cars from different countries around the world. The successful test run augurs well for SINAG and the future of renewable energy technology in the Philippines.


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The SINAG solar car was designed and built by a group of dedicated faculty and students from the Mechanical Engineering and the Electronics and Communications Engineering Departments of De La Salle University–Manila, with the support of Ford Group Philippines, Motolite, Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Corporation, Shell, SunPower, U-Freight, and Ventus. The project is also supported by Aurora, Cabrera Lavadia and Associates, JWT, CreAsia, Merritt Partners, Tuason Racing School, Gochermann Solar Technology, and Stratworks.

RP SOLAR CAR TEAM IN DARWIN

Members of Team Sinag, composed of 10 engineering students and 4 faculty members from De La Salle University-Manila, have arrived in Darwin, Australia last Saturday to participate in the 20th Panasonic World Solar Challenge. The Philippine Team was met by Overall Team Leader Prof. Rene Fernandez (5th from left). The 3,000 km race will start on October 21 at Hidden Valley Motor Sports Complex in Darwin and will end in Adelaide, Southern Australia. Team Sinag’s entry in the solar car competition is a testament of the Filipino’s continuous drive to be at par with developed countries in harnessing the power of renewable energy sources.

The SINAG solar car was designed and built by a group of dedicated faculty and students from the Mechanical Engineering and the Electronics and Communications Engineering Departments of De La Salle University–Manila, with the support of Ford Group Philippines, Motolite, Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Corporation, Shell, SunPower, U-Freight, and Ventus. The project is also supported by Aurora, Cabrera Lavadia and Associates, JWT, Cresia, Merritt Partners, Tuason Racing School, Gochermann Solar Technology, and Stratworks.

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