TEMPO.CO, Manila - Team II of the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya (ITS) is optimistic in defending their title in the 2014 Shell-Eco Marathon which was kicked off yesterday, at Luneta Park, Manila, the Philippines.

The Sapuangin team had done several tryouts prior their departure to Philippines.

"We could travel 228 kilometers using one liter of fuel during the three-time tryouts in Surabaya. So we are optimistic to defend our champion title," said Irvan Anhar, the driver of Sapuangin 8. The tryout results exceeded their own record in 2012 when the team won Eco-Shell Marathon by travelling 167 kilometers with only one liter fuel.

Sapuangin team of ITS has often championed the Shell-Eco Marathon with their urban-concept cars. In 2010, the team won the title in the petrol-fuelled car category by travelling 237 kilometers per one liter of fuel. The team made their bid in biodiesel category in 2011 and still, they won a title by travelling 150 kilometers per one liter. In 2014, Sapuangin 8 will race against Brunei Darussalam’s PLM Alpha 4, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB)’s Cikal Diesel team, and the Philippines' Haribon team of the Mapua Institute of Technology.

2014 Shell-Eco Marathon challenges student teams from around the world to design, build and test ultra-energy-efficient vehicles. The winner of all classes and categories are eligible for US$2,000.

Below is the list of 2014 Shell Eco-Marathon Participants:

1. Brunei Darussalam: 5 teams
2. China: 3 teams
3. Egypt: 2 teams
4. India: 13 teams
5. Indonesia: 18 teams
6. Lebanon: 2 teams
7. Malaysia: 16 teams
8. Pakistan: 8 teams
9. Philippines: 15 teams
10. Qatar: 3 teams
11. Singapore: 4 teams
12. South Korea: 2 teams
13. Thailand: 11 teams
14. United Arab Emirates: 2 teams
15. Vietnam: 5 teams
Total: 109 teams

Categories

- Prototype: 71 teams
- Urban Concept: 38 teams

Fuel Categories:

- Battery: 30 teams
- Diesel: 18 teams
- Ethanol: 9 teams
- Biodiesel: 4 teams
- Petroleum: 39 teams
- Gas: 2 teams
- Hydrogen: 7 teams

ARIE FIRDAUS (MANILA)