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News update from the circuit.
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 ::. May 24th - Cool clobber for the Italian jobbers The Polytechnic of Turin believes in dressing for success. Its preparations have even considered the clothing of its pilot, the team leader. He will be wearing special cooling underwear, developed with SPARCO, to combat the heat generated by the hydrogen fuel cell engine of its vehicle, IDRA08. The team, which has set itself up as a company, H2politic0, and gained the support of sponsors such as SKF for the supply of ball bearings, has also maximised the safety and comfort of its vehicle. A large windscreen allows for maximum visibility and the pilot’s seat has been protected against vibration. First-timers to the event, the team are impressed by the genial atmosphere of the paddock area. “We have been able to learn from the experience of other teams,” says team member, Mauro Ariano.
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 ::. May 24th -Fed on bread Human beings may have been running on their daily bread for centuries, but one enterprising French school is showing that cars may be no exception. The boys and girls of Dacazeville secondary school, Aveyron, are making ethanol from bread to power their prototype vehicle. To highlight their activities, the team is offering regional produce, Marcillac red wine and bread, as well as laguiole cheese at its site on the paddock. Visitors can also view the fermentation process in action. Entry into the Eco-marathon has raised awareness among many pupils of the issues surrounding the use of biofuels. The team is aiming to show that waste products can be recycled as fuel.
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 ::. May 24th - Eastern promise “It’s a cultural exchange, and a dialogue between civilisations,” enthuses Dr Fadaei Tehrani of Isfahan University of Technology, Iran. His team is enjoying its first experience of the Eco-marathon and very much hopes to come back. The journey from Iran, however, was not without its difficulties. The team took a flight to Paris and then to Toulouse, but had a problem hiring a truck to take them to the final destination of Nogaro. Fortunately, no such problems have been encountered with its car, which the technical jury commended for its power transmission system. Dr Fadaei Tehrani hopes that his team’s participation in the event – thanks to the sponsorship of Iranian car manufacturer, Saipa – will help raise awareness of the need to conserve energy and reduce emissions in his own country.
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