Students to join fuel saving race

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian university students will test their skills in modifying cars to have the lowest fuel consumption in a 770-kilometer race stretching from Jakarta to Surabaya, East Java.

A total of 22 universities from Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surakarta, Surabaya and Malang have confirmed their participation in the three-day race, to be flagged off on July 25 at the National Monument park.

Committee chairman, Bintoro T, said yesterday that each team will drive an Isuzu Panther diesel provided by PT Astra International. Participants will have to modify the cars' engines to use less than 50 liters of diesel fuel.

The race will be in two stages. The first leg covers 470 kilometers from Jakarta to Semarang, Central Java, with all racers expected to make the trip in 12 hours.

Following two hours of rest, the participating teams embark on their journey to Surabaya. They are given eight hours to complete the 300 km journey. Once they finish, their cars will undergo engine screening.

The winning team will bring home a new Isuzu Panther. The runner-up will bag Rp 10,000,000 (US$4,250) savings account and each member of the third best team will receive a Rp 600,000 scholarship fund.

Isprajin Brotowibowo of the Ministry of Education and Culture said that each team deserves a patents right for its modified car.

Bintoro said that the race will be held regularly every two years from now. For the next race, the organizers plan to invite students from outside Java. (yan)