Words by Jessica Cathro
TARANAKI
The showers didn’t keep teams away
The
from the inaugural Taranaki Regional
introduced in 2021 to allow more
Evolocity
competition.
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Competition
Class
was
teams
advanced students build a proper
from six different schools arrived at
electric go kart with the aim of
Kart Sport New Plymouth ready to
showcasing
demonstrate their electric vehicles.
abilities.
The teams’ journey had started at the
Next up was the Gymkhana. Teams
beginning of the year in mid-March,
navigated the cones like pros with
when teams gathered at WITT to
some teams completing the circuit
learn about the competition and
in less than a minute and a half.
start planning their vehicles. Over the next six months teams met at their schools and at WITT to complete their design and build their vehicles.
their
engineering
Finally the teams competed in the Economy Run. There were several who took off with Stratford College Team Go Go Electric leading the way
Even a four week lockdown did not
and Last Minute trailing very slowly
stop these teams from completing
behind. However energy efficiency
their vehicles. Students arrived on
cannot be denied and teams slowly
Friday 12th November to participate
began dying leaving on Team Last
in each of the events. The Drag Race
Minute slowly creeping around the
was a highlight with the top speed
track to win.
from Team Wooloo. The spectators were then treated to the experience of seeing the first North Island Championship class vehicle show off their speed from team JOJ Racing at Mount Maunganui College.
17
The regional event could not have happened
without
the
support
of Ara Ake, WITT and Evnex, who provided financially and with judges, volunteers, mentors and supporters
P H O T O S :
Ben Naughton
