The Bridge Builders Youth Organisation ran a smooth and relaxed EIEP Maroondah GP on a fine, beautiful day in front of the back drop of Mt Dandenong.

Mum & Dad Racing from Staughton (no really, that was the team name - shown left with the red) were super quick and reliable throughout the 6 hr event with their electric/ pedal hybrid.

Staugthon's is trying to build a new vehicle for the Energy Breakthrough for under $1000 - and it's proving a big challenge. Maroondah was a chance to give the old rigs another hurrah!

An hour and 45 minutes in and Diamond Creek's Dominator is on the service vehicle and Stawell SC has lost a wheel and smashed a tie-rod end. Such is life in racing and the common vibe throughout the pit lane was that the event serves a great purpose as a ‘shakedown' event before Maryborough.

Trisled's All-Girls Community (below left) team put in a stellar effort by finishing third in the HPV Community Class. They were testing a new Trisled ‘Build Kit' which are about to come onto the market. The kits are designed for first timers with a competitive, easy-to-ride chassis and all the pieces pre-cut to create the canopy. Prices and packages are yet to be finalised, but stay tuned to Trisled.com.au for details. The crew finished the event without a scratch on their vehicle and some great experience.

The all-girls crew from ‘Our Lady of Sion' enjoyed themselves too – except when their front windscreen shattered during a pit stop. "The rider simply didn't brake and we put our hands right through when we caught her," another rider said. No one has hurt in the incident and it was all smiles from the school in their second year of HPVs.

As the race rolled on past the 4 hr mark, Stawell SC and St Mary of the Angel's Nathalia (far right) started to shine. Their hybrids picked up considerable speed and passing many vehicles on the uphill stretch. Stawell had two vehicles on track, one of which is shown close right. Team Manager Anthony Taylor was excited about the upcoming Transurban Vehicle Efficiency Test Day – "That'll be fantastic."
More info on the Transurban Vehicle Efficiency Test Day

Great to also see Croydon SC and Yarrawonga's Sacred Heart College having a go. It's part of this event's role to welcome in teams who are building their experience base in HPV racing. "This event is serving its purpose well – from those who want to race from beginners who want to learn." said Race Director, Ewen Cole.

Fusion Racing (Bottom Right) won the Encouragement Award having built up a trike donated by Mick McTigue with a week using ‘For Sale' signs. The community group team did a stellar job to continue circulating without major fault for the full 6hrs.

"We're building our new vehicle IN class now, which is a great win for us. This event is (also) at a great time for us because we've got enough time to fix anything for Maryborough."
- Andrew, Team Manager, Kingswood College

The crowd swelled as Staughton's ‘Mum & Dad Racing' took the chequered flag at 4pm. The vehicle which was so dominant in last years hybrid event at the ‘breakthrough looked amazingly consistent.

Head of Bridge Builders, Phil Stenhouse, was stoked that their youth organisation had the opportunity to take on an event of this type. "This event is great for building capacity and resilience in young people – both those from the participating schools and those from Bridge Builders." Phil explained. Bridge Builders had 40 young people volunteering across the site from the command centre to pit lane.

"We're learning – does it all look right?" As Phil instructs another group of young people into position. "Some teams didn't show, they didn't tell us they weren't coming. Is that normal?" Yes, I say. Unfortunately it does happen.

About the EIEP Maroondah GP:
The Maroondah GP (MTC) was started in August 2003. The number of entries has increased significantly in the three years it has operated, with 45 HPV and Hybrid vehicles participating in 2006.

The downhill pit straight is counter-acted by the up hill start/finish straight making every lap of the 878 m circuit a test. Event Convenor, Ryan Sykes, indicated possible changes to the circuit for 2008: "We'll be looking at extending the track for next year. There's some great roads down the back and a fantastic banked hairpin – but we'll see."

It is a 6 hour entry level event with a track that is appealing to beginners and open to community teams. It offers new participants HPV race experience in a relaxed atmosphere while allowing others to tune their vehicles for the Energy Breakthrough.

Photos and article written by Nigel Preston, RACV Energy Breakthrough Planning Committee.