Hutt High Solar's Odyssey To Continue

Hutt Valley High School Solar Power Car Team - Solar Car Update

LOWER HUTT, 8 JULY. New Zealand's pioneering Hutt High Solar team will be back in Australia for the SunRace 2004 race, with a battery-powered vehicle!

Chair Piers Lawrence says the time is right to start planning for an attempt on the Adelaide-to-Sydney contest, a natural progression from last year's campaign.

"We did well in the World Solar Challenge last November, 2001, for the two hours daily we had available as students. We spent less than 18 months - a German team had the same time over two years.

"Yet we got success where it mattered, when we inspired solar awareness among New Zealanders." The team's spirit was highlighted by TVNZ's Assignment and teenage newspaper Tearaway, Mr Lawrence, a 2001 veteran, says.

"Our SunRace preparation starts now."

The 2,300 kilometre SunRace contest will put Hutt High Solar's next entry against a wider field of both solar- and electric-powered cars. The race, itself award-winning, reaches 200 million television viewers.

Mr Lawrence says SunRace's profile, with a wider criteria for entries, will further the team's "priceless" goal of promoting sustainable energy use to all New Zealanders. Longer term, the team believes the Hutt High Solar initiative is a model for further 'knowledge economy' ideas. Meanwhile, the team is looking for support from current and prospective sponsors to continue the invaluable campaign to the New Zealand public.

"The goal of promoting sustainable energy use is priceless. Our 2001 sponsors considered the $130,000 campaign worth everything invested, considering what it inspired."

ENDS

About Hutt High Solar Inc: established in August 2000, with local industry, by both Hutt Valley High School and Wellington College of Education students, the team through its activities promotes the 'knowledge economy' and sustainable energy use. Its website is at http://www.solarcar.org.nz/.

For further information, contact: * Jonathan Ah Kit, committee member o Mobile: 021 1181956 o E-mail: hydro@electric.gen.nz o Phone: 04 5661083 * SunRace 2004 race information o URL: http://www.sunrace.com.au/

ENDS

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