Davis Catchpole (sitting) Liam Barnes and Okoko Anaing get ready to race their cart. Photo – Michael Jeans.
Five Cambridge teams put their engineering skills to the test at the EVolocity regional final competition in Hamilton last Saturday, with one team taking out wins in two categories.
James Ross and Matt Berry’s bike propelled them to wins in the Street Circuit and Show Design and Appeal categories, with Cambridge High School materials technology teacher Bruce Siriett describing their electric-powered bike as “super sharp”.
“I am really stoked for Cambridge and in particular, this outcome,” EVolocity co-ordinator Levinia Paku said. “But their teacher Bruce Siriett deserves an accolade for getting all five teams to the event, that was the most entries from a school this year.”
Aaron Bruce all set to compete. Photo – Michael Jeans.
One team out of the five was forced to drop out, Bruce said, having made a small engineering decision that he was unaware of which meant their cart malfunctioned. “They tried to weld aluminum to steel, which you can’t do…they put the brakes on and it snapped,” he explained. “They were pretty gutted, but I guess there’s got to be a learning experience there.”
The black three-wheeler Davis Catchpole, Liam Barnes and Okoko Anaing entered went well on the day, performing well on the economy run but getting slower after that. “But it kept going,” Bruce said.
From left, Sam Bain, Aaron Bruce and James Ross line up on the Kartsport track. Photo – Michael Jeans.
Cambridge High School had three bikes and two carts entered in the event, which was a great learning experience for the students, Bruce added.
“There was some really cool innovative design out there, and if we’re doing this sort of stuff at schools, I think it bodes really well for engineering solutions out there.
“Hopefully this is the sort of stepping stone that gets them interested in either engineering at university or apprenticeships or something in that line.”
Sam Bain in the Street Race. Photo – Michael Jeans.
