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In September 2021, IGBIS took its first baby steps on the journey that would ultimately take us to victory in the inaugural Bufori EViE race day. The first meeting, initiated by Ian Wade from GIS, did not include the Bufori Motor Company but was just a discussion about how we could get Greenpower electric car racing off the ground in Malaysia. By the end of that year, it seemed that the journey would end prematurely due to the cost of bringing the Greenpower kits to Malaysia. 

The Bufori Motor Company in Kepong stepped in with enthusiasm that September to design and build the car kits with the first prototype being completed early the following year. With huge enthusiasm from 65 participating innovation and ASA students, IGBIS took delivery of its first car in October 2023. 

The bumpy road of building the car started in earnest then. The kits were delivered with a parts list and a stack of technical drawings so the students had to learn how to translate a drawing into a working machine and overcome all the setbacks along the way. Brake callipers not fitting, steering rack and pinions installed upside down, screws being impossible to fit, the motor running in reverse and battery connectors snapping were but a few of the problems that the young engineers had to overcome. The spirit of hands-on problem-solving was plain to see and at times, very entertaining to watch!

For the first EvIE competition, a portfolio was required from each team. This was a part of the points criteria for the overall winner with topics such as sustainability, racing lines and aerodynamics adding to the students’ learning experience. The score for this portfolio translated into the IGBIS team’s eventual fourth position on the starting grid.

In the build-up to race day on the 9th of November, the last-minute preparations of completing the portfolio, fitting the shell, testing the car and practising the pit stops took precedence over most other school activities. 

We all left IGBIS at 5:30 am on Saturday to arrive, along with 8 other competing EViEs (Electric Vehicles in Education), at a dry Horizon Beranang Circuit. The various teams assembled their cars in their respective garages ready for scrutineering. Our first driver, Hariz, then went out for his initial practice laps. After 4 circuits, he came in to allow Maloé to take over. She only lasted 2 laps before the battery died and was forced into the pits. We were relieved to discover that the problem was only a brake calliper set too tight and nothing serious was wrong with the drivetrain for the actual race. 

Race tactics were discussed with the drivers and the pit crew of Artem, Nick, Travis, Nate (team photographer) and Shrriman (lollipop controller), and it was decided to aim for 1’30” laps to conserve power and have a chance of actually finishing the 35 laps with the stipulated 3 sets of batteries.

The race started at 11:30 with Hariz at the wheel. The first moment of drama for the “Eco Phoenix Drifters” occurred when the lights went green and our EViE didn’t move. We were not the only ones left standing in the line, but a quick tweak by a marshall got us going before a very disappointing day was had by all.

Some schools went off like rockets, which looked good until the wheels came off, literally. GIS’s rear wheel breakage forced them to retire after 10 laps with Charterhouse not far behind with a broken axle. After our first pit stop, Maloé set off fast and managed a very quick 7 laps before needing a battery change. Hariz had been so economical, that we were able to replace the batteries with the first set to allow Maloé to complete the 12 scheduled on our race plan. Hariz once again took over driving duties to cruise into a second-place position on the track behind Alice Smith School. The winner’s battery was dying and half a lap more would have seen our team first past the chequered flag.

Then came the deliberation for the final scores: the teams could accrue extra points for various aspects such as the portfolio, fastest pit stop, race position and most economical driving, as well as penalties for infringements such as dangerous driving, lack of sportsmanship and running in the pit lane. The skies opened and the rain came down as the winners were announced with the IGBIS Eco Phoenix Drifters taking the trophy for the overall winner. 

A very exciting and worthwhile day was had by all. Throughout the project, many students participated as engineers, marketers, as well as portfolio writers and this victory, belongs to all of you. Congratulations! Special thanks go to Mr. Rukaruck for all the time and effort he put into the project.

– Craig Morgan