Sikat II ready for Aussie race

MANILA, Philippines - The Pinoy solar car that will compete in the 2011 World Solar Challenge (WSC) successfully passed scrutiny last Thursday and is very much ready for the race that will begin tomorrow.

“We are now race-ready,” declared Mon Agustines, Team Solar Philippines manager and president of the Philippine Solar Car Challenge Society, Inc., the organization behind Philippine-made solar car Sikat II.

Agustines is part of the 14-man team that is in Darwin, Australia preparing for the WSC.

The country’s third solar car underwent a procedural “static scrutineering” at Foskey Pavilion in Darwin Showgrounds as part of the race requirements that determine the qualification of the car to join the 3,000-km cross-continent race from Darwin to Adelaide.

The solar car passed all tests for batteries, solar cells, measurements and overall safety based on the rules and regulations set by the WSC committee.

Sikat II is said to sport a sleek and more aerodynamic design and more efficient solar panels and weighs lighter than its predecessors Sinag and Sikat I.

“We feel relieved. After several days of mechanical and electrical works as well as test runs, we got the green light to be part of this prestigious race of the world’s best solar cars. We are very honored to represent the country,” said team leader Jack Catalan.

After having been approved to join the race, the team started preparing for the “dynamic scrutineering” scheduled today. In this final test, the qualified cars will hold an official trial run at the Hidden Valley Racetrack in Darwin to determine the order of the cars during the actual race tomorrow at Darwin State Square.

Members of the Filipino community in Darwin are expected to gather at the starting line to cheer for the Philippine contingent. The team expects to reach the finish line after four to five days of driving in the Australian outback just in time for the awarding ceremonies in Adelaide City on Oct. 23.