Pedal Prix
Pedal Prix - an exciting event
Southern Vales has fielded Teams regularly in the annual Pedal Prix at Murray Bridge. It is an exciting 24 hour endurance race, one in which many schools participate.
The Pedal Prix is a great team and character building event - there's a lot of preparation that goes on and pre-event training in the lead-up to the event each year.
It is well worth taking the journey to Murray bridge on the weekend of the event to take in the atmosphere.
2009 Pedal Prix Report
On Friday 18th September 2009 a team of students, teachers, SVCC staff, volunteers and a few parents set off to set up camp at the Murray Bridge track.
Organisation was to prove a huge task catering for the 20 or so people from Friday to Sunday with no running water or electricity. However, with so much hard work and help from a number of dedicated people, the site was set up quickly and efficiently in readiness for the race ahead.
Friday saw a practice session over a 2 hour period in which each of the students were able to take the vehicle for a spin. After a reasonable night’s sleep the stage was set for an exciting 24 hours on the track. The fanfare on the starting grid reminded me of a Formula 1 GP start. There were over 250 vehicles all keen to get a great start at the scheduled commencement time of 12:00 noon Saturday. Jonathan Phan had the honour of starting the race and did a great job. All the students put in a mammoth effort over the following 24 hours with some completing 12 to 15 laps of the 2.5 km track before their change-over. Despite some minor mechanical problems, the team managed to complete the whole race. Jake Dornford had the exciting task of crossing the finish line at 12:00 noon on Sunday. Although physically and mentally exhausted, all competitors had a great time and the SVCC Pedal Prix Team have made us proud.
A special mention needs to be made for the incredible effort made by Karen and Garry Hughes (Mr and Mrs Pedal Prix) and old scholars Matt Crowden and Nathaniel Todd (who spent many hours preparing the vehicle and assisted in every area). I would also like to acknowledge the many years of service to the Pedal Prix by Steven de Kock who handed over the reins to me this year.
Competitors: Jake Dornford, Alex Hughes, Isaac Ferry, Steven Cross, Daniel Jake, Ashley Milne, James Daly, Sarah Farcut, Cuan James, Sam McDaniel and Jonathan Phan.
Thanks also to Amber McMahon who worked in the pit crew and to all parents who helped over the weekend.
David Thomson
Pedal Prix Team Manager
Check out the pics via this link: 2009 Pedal Prix Pix