Tigga trial on track

By Nicole Williams
KILBERRY Valley Primary School competed in the RACV Energy Breakthrough Challenge last month.
The team of 10 Grade 5 and 6 students put their Human Powered Vehicle ‘Tigga’ through its paces in Maryborough in the 14-hour trial on Friday 19 November and Saturday 20 November.
The team finished 42nd overall and set a new team best time on the track, completing 280 laps.
“They all did a fantastic job, they all set their best times (in the trial),” said Kilberry Valley teacher Mark Bailey.
With eight riders and a two-person pit crew, the students rode the recumbent tricycle, a reclining three-wheel bicycle, for 14 hours, split over two days.
Each rider completed five rides of 25 minutes each.
“They were all able to do their five rides over the two days,” Mr Bailey said. The students competed in three areas – presentation, trial and scrutineering – and received their highest score for the presentation section, he said.
‘Tigga’ was developed especially for the challenge with the students working on and training with the vehicle for two school terms.
Mr Bailey said the school was looking forward to entering the challenge again next year.
Kilberry Valley Primary School raised over $4000 in sponsorship and was able to organise a trailer from Transport Equipment Australia to transport the vehicle for this challenge and future events.
The RACV Energy Breakthrough Challenge was established to create student interest in sustainable transport, science and technology through hands-on experiences.