Wonthaggi Secondary College  HPV Grand Prix

2001 Results

Human Powered vehicles descended on Wonthaggi from all corners of Victoria and South Australia on a very hot Friday afternoon.  The Wonthaggi Recreation reserve was transformed into a tent city.

Some of the new locals exchanging tales of their eventful trip to the old coal town.  The Shepparton team relating a tale of being stopped by police at Seymour due to a deluge of rain that cut visibility to zero.  Then Portland team with the news that they were diverted in Geelong as a result of a grass fire. Yet they arrived tired but enthused on a hot total fire ban day.

Competitors and crews, exhausted, had bedded down when the elements unleashed their fury.  Wind and rain not experienced in Wonthaggi for some time demolished tent city. The dawn revealed a dismal sight with marquees and little tents flattened by the storm. It soon became clear that many of the competitors were soaked as were their sleeping bags and spare clothes. Relentless rain and wind dampened some of the enthusiasm as the starting time drew closer.

Many phone calls to the bureau of meteorology followed and the difficult decision to postpone the start of the race was made.  The outlook remained bleak and several of the 39 teams withdrew, packed up and left for the comforts of home.  As the starting times were postponed more teams withdrew and the rain continued.  Officials eventually started a modified 8 hour trial at 4pm for the remaining 13 teams.  The weather although still very windy held out till an exiting midnight finish for the remaining teams including two South Australian teams.

What a contrast to the pushcart events completed on the previous day when 17 Wonthaggi and district, plus teams from other parts of Victorian, competed in temperatures up to 29 degrees.  The common denominator in these events was the sheer determination displayed by the competitors.

They were a credit their community and the schools they represented and deserve pat on the back.  I would like to thank all the members of the organising committee, the members of the community that assisted with numerous jobs and the sponsors of this very worthwhile event.

The Wonthaggi Human Powered Grand Prix will be back next year for their fifth birthday event. See you there.

Henk GERBES event co-ordinator
9 Neptune Street
Cape Paterson 3995
Ph 59 744587