Svelte and lightweight Human Powered Vehicles will replace the thunderous Supercars when the trikes hit the track at The Bend Motorsport Park for Round 2 of the UniSA Australian Human Powered Vehicle Super Series (AHPVSS), this weekend. The aerodynamic pedal powered capsules incorporating the latest materials and technology are highly efficient, their designs enabling maximum transfer of human power to propel them on the track.
More than 180 of the racing trikes will take to the smooth tarmac of the international standard motor racing facility at South Australia’s Tailem Bend. Established 35 years ago by a group of school technology teachers, the sport has flourished with six rounds and hundreds of competitors from across Australia. Despite the significant growth, the school-based roots of the sport remain heavily ingrained.
Pembroke School’s Phoenix will be out to defend its top ranking, their team of passionate and committed riders from Years 10-12 are hoping to replicate the result from Round 1 in Mt Gambier where they finished as first school team. In the process they mixed it with the best Open division contenders in the country, their Year 12 student Markus Chandler coming within 1.4 seconds of the outright fastest lap!
Experienced Team Manager Jason Lentakis has been committed to the sport of Human Powered Vehicle racing for many years and knows what it takes to put together a winning combination. “Our students are involved in all aspects of team preparation, from working on the trikes and vehicle setup, to racing flat out. There’s a good feeling amongst all the students involved, they’re invested, they’re passionate.”
The team, with support from Stanford Mowers and Townsend Orthodontics, will bring a new trike this weekend for their number 16 entry Phoenix, as well as two for the younger students and an all-female entry for the secondary division, S3.
This will be the first occasion Australian International Pedal Prix Inc., organisers of the Series, have held a race at the venue. “The Bend Motorsport Park has something exciting and different to offer our competitors.” stated Chairman Andrew McLachlan. “The 3.4km West Circuit which we will be utilising, is smooth and wide, enticing for the riders, and it can accommodate our big field. Off track the facility has excellent amenities as well as structured areas enabling us to comply with COVID requirements. We are really looking forward to the experience this weekend.”
Other teams to watch out for include outright winners of Round 1 Aurora Racing and fastest lap setters, Wattle Racing, both from Victoria, as well as the all-female teams from Relentless Racing in South Australia and in the Masters, Melbourne’s Peninsula Human Power.
Event: Round 2 Uni SA Australian Human Powered Vehicle Super Series
Date: Sunday 23 May 2021
Time: 10:00am
Venue: The Bend Motorsport Park, 543 Dukes Hwy, Tailem Bend SA 5260
Entry: Free
