Two Malaysian teams represented by universities emerged winners of Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2010 at Sepang International Circuit (SIC).

Fuel Cell Vehicle Team from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) won the fuel cell grand prize of US$1000, trophy and certificate.

They covered 598.8km in the maximum distance challenge using one litre of fuel. Second was Ngee Ann Polytechnic from Singapore with 535.4km.

Fuel Cell team leader Joerg Dieter Weigl,32, credited the win to team spirit and strong cooperation of members.

He said the team had to stave off strong challenge from creative and innovative foreign teams.

"We will try to perform better at the next challenge," he said after receiving the prize.

UKMCAR2 from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia won the alternative gasoline fuel category and return with US$800.

The team covered 479.5km using one litre of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Team leader Cindy Lora Sagan, 22, put down the success to sheer hard work and strong team spirit.

"We are happy although a little tired as we tried very hard to win," she said.

ATE-1 from Thailand's Army Transportation Engineering School won the overall prize covering the longest distance of 1521.9km using one litre of fuel.

Shell Eco-Marathon Asia 2010 had participation of 81 teams from ten countries.

Source: Bernama Online, July 11^th, 2010