Shell launches 2014 Eco-Marathon, to be held in Manila

The Shell Eco-marathon is an annual event pitting students from all around the world against each other in an engineering and design challenge. Their challenge: compete in energy efficient vehicles of their own design and build them from the ground up.

 

This year, for the first time in since it began in Asia back in 2010, the Shell Eco-marathon will be held in Manila, Philippines. Slated to run on February 6-9, 2014, with 120 teams from 16 countries. 17 teams coming from De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, and Mapua Institute of Technology will hoist aloft the Philippine flag. The Asian leg of the competition will take place in the streets of Manila. Driving concept vehicles, the teams will try and out do each other to find out who can travel the farthest with the least amount of energy.

 

This past week, the celebrated host, actress, and journalist, Bianca Gonzales competed in a Eco-marathon challenge: drive 120 km, starting from the Shell refinery in Tabangao, Batangas. Using as little fuel as possible, she also showcased how the right combination of fuel and driving skills can help improve the economy of our road cars. Before her drive, Ms. Gonzales mentioned that, “I am really excited to be taking on this challenge and I’m looking forward to being coached and inspired by our country’s brightest engineering talent. I hope I can show Filipino drivers that it’s easy to become more fuel efficient but choosing the right fuel and making a few small changes to the way they drive.”

 

On February 7, Bianca Gonzales will be joined by other celebrities from Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia for the final celebrity challenge. Here Ms. Gonzales will put all her newfound fuel efficiency skills to good use. The celebrities will be driving ultra-energy efficient Shell Eco-marathon vehicles built by engineering students. They will aim to beat a record set in the Shell Eco-marathon Europe, which took place in Rotterdam in last year. The celebrity to drive the farthest distance will be crowned as the Shell Fuel Save Celebrity Driver of the Year.

 

To find out more about the Shell Eco-marathon and how you can drive smart and cut fuel costs, please visit www.shell.com.ph