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News update from the circuit.

::. May 22nd - United we stand

This year's Shell Eco-marathon is more international than ever with teams coming from 22 different countries. Four of these are new to the event: Bulgaria, Hungary, Iran and Morocco. However, the team from Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden, takes a special prize for being truly international. It features a Turkish engineer and a Chinese driver.

The team is looking to treble its commendable 349km result in the prototype race last year. Said Sven Andersson project leader: "We are absolutely better prepared. We have new wheels and breaks, and we've taken away any friction." As reliable as a Volvo? The team is united in its hope.

::. May 22nd - Cloudy but still shining

Eight teams are using solar energy to power their prototype vehicles this year, but today's grey skies have not dampened the mood of one team. "It's to our advantage that there's not too much sun," said Paul Steele, a technology teacher at Harwich School in the UK. The solar panels of his school's vehicle can produce 150W, well in excess of the 60W needed; if it's too sunny then a panel can be removed.

The team is the current UK champion but is uncertain how well it will compare with the other teams in this competition. The task of piloting the vehicle has fallen on the team's smallest 13 year-old member. "We had to starve him for weeks," jokes his teacher.