HPV Racing returns to the picturesque foreshore of Busselton this weekend when the fastest Human Powered Vehicles in Australia hit the Geographe Bay Street Circuit.
The event is Round 5 of the University of SA Australian Human Powered Vehicle Super Series.
A record 49 entrants will form up on the grid and take the green light at 10:00am to battle fatigue and each other over the 6 hour endurance event.
“Busselton continues to impress as a location and track for HPV racing,” stated Series Chairman Andrew McLachlan. “The support received from the City of Busselton and local community has made this event a reality and it continues to grow, as we see increasing entries locally, from Perth, and interstate,” he added.
City of Busselton Mayor, Grant Henley, shared the enthusiasm. “This will be the sixth year Busselton has hosted a round of the Series, and we are very pleased with how it has developed. It certainly brings in significant visitation to the City, provides a positive economic impact and brings colour and excitement to the foreshore. We are looking forward to hosting the event and working with Andrew and his team again this year’” he said.
While many teams will take the 220km journey south from the state’s capital, Busselton itself is well represented.
Team Manager of Georgiana Molloy Anglican School, just minutes from the circuit, Phil Deroost, said his outfit is ready for the event. “We’ve got two HPV’s in fine tune and entered in the S2 Category [Middle School]. This is a big weekend for the squad, it’s the culmination of many months of dedication and commitment by the students. We’ll also have family members joining us over the two days in various support roles, so it’s a real community effort. That’s one of the many benefits of being involved, it brings a lot of people together in a team environment” he stated.
Other entries will take a longer route west across Australia’s vast Nullarbor Plain to race alongside the Indian Ocean.
“We’ve got three vehicles going over from Adelaide” said Fast Cats Racing’s Team Manager, David Poole. “One has been freighted over in advance, and another two leave on Monday (12 Aug). We’ll have a total of 11 riders and staff flying to Perth, then driving to Busselton for the weekend. Everyone’s really looking forward to it!” he exclaimed.
Teams can have up to 20 riders in the younger divisions to share the cockpit duties, with less in the older and open categories, providing a real test of endurance. Scrutineering is on Saturday with riders receiving the green light for race start at 10:00am Sunday.
Program of Events
Saturday 17 August
Scrutineering will take place at the Busselton Youth and Community Centre, corner of High Street and Bussell Highway from 12:00pm – 3:30pm.
Sunday 18 August
7.00am Venue open for team access
8.30am Marshals Briefing at Race Control (10 mins)
8.50am Team Manager Briefing at Race Control (10 mins)
9.20am Teams to Grid
9.30am All Marshals in position
9.50am Clear the Grid
10.00am Race Start
4.00pm Race Finish
4.15pm Presentations
