JP Racing - 2025
Maryborough
Last week 50 Level 6 students travelled to Maryborough to compete in the annual Energy Breakthrough Challenge racing Push Carts and Human Powered Vehicles.
The students have put in a tremendous amount of work throughout the year and performed brilliantly last week which resulted in another successful year.
Our 3 push cart teams had a fantastic couple of days both on and off the track.
Team Magic posted some excellent race times and the 6th best presentation score to finish 3rd overall.
Team Lightning had the fastest race times for the Obstacle course and sprint event, and the second fastest endurance time throughout the week. They also scored the 2nd highest Design and construction score to finish 5th overall.
Team Thunder had the second quickest track team behind team Lightning, but unfortunately their other component scores weren't as high and finished in 12th place.
Congratulations to all the students on your hard work throughout the year.
Our 3 HPV teams had fantastic 14 hour trials race against 62 other teams.
The kids pulled together as teams and organised themselves into their own riding orders, with an understanding that not everyone will ride for the same amount of time. One of the greatest things I see during these races is the team work and encouragement each member shows to one another. Assisting with rider preparation, helping students recover after a stint, the high 5’s, the friendly competition between riders, the encouragement from the pits as they ride past is one of the greatest rewards I get from this program. The students pushed hard for the 14 hour race.
This was our first year we had a flawless run. We did not receive any ‘Return to Pit’ stickers or any major mechanical issues which was fantastic.
Team Shazzam were brilliant with only 7 riders. They completed 280 laps of the 1.58km track with a total distance of 442Km with an average speed of 31.5kph. The finished 13th in the race but was boosted to 6th after their presentation and design scores were added.
Team Vanquish completed 294 laps with a total distance of 464 kms to finish 7th in the race. During this term they put a lot of effort into their knowledge of the program and it paid off with the second highest Design and Construction score. This saw them sky rocket to 2nd place by only 0.1 points. This is the second year in a row that a Jells Park team has finished second overall.
Team Raptor were very consistent in the trial. They finished 8th in the race, completing 291 laps with a total distance of 460 Kms. They received the second highest Presentations score but unfortunately not a high Design and Construction score. They ended up finishing in 10th place overall.
To have all 3 teams finish in the top 10 out of 62 competing schools in our category is an outstanding achievement and all the students involved should be extremely proud of their efforts.
This year would not have been possible without our very generous sponsors.
They have contributed to the program in many ways, which has enabled us to be one of the largest competing schools each year.
This year we have been able to
- Purchase a new Human Powered Vehicle.
- Purchase a new trailer to help transport equipment to and from events.
- Purchase additional safety equipment.
- Upgrade camping equipment.
- Apply add ons to our team uniforms at no extra cost to families.
We are truly grateful for our sponsors, who assist us to provide this amazing experience for your children.
For our sponsors who are here, I would like them to come up and receive a certificate of appreciation from the students
Our Major Sponsors
Cristine Jones – Ray White Ferntree Gully
Bosoar Window Pty Ltd T/A Bosoar Stone
And our other contributing sponsors
Redford Plumbing
Thank you to all the parents and teachers who have helped out this year to make this the most successful year of JP Racing ever.
Scott Zacharissen
JP Racing Coordinator
Student's Reflection
JP Racing is something Level Sixes have to opportunity to participate in every year.
It is an extracurricular activity that improves our fitness, strength, connection to our peers and resilience.
There are three different ways you can contribute to the program. HPV (Human Powered Vehicle) Push carts and Support Crew. HPV is something that is a separate selection only for Level Sixes but Push Carts can have Level Sixes and Fives participate as well as Support Crew.
We have had an incredible year, full of success and amazing achievements.
This year we had 57 students participate in the program as HPV Riders, Push Cart Competitors and Support Crew members.
We have competed in 6 HPV races throughout the year racing from 6 - 24 hours long.
With our Vic series races in Calder, Casey Fields and Sandown finishing top 15 throughout the year. Our biggest achievement was competing in our first 24 hour, Interstate race in Murray Bridge, South Australia.
This was the first time our school had ventured across the border and it was an unbelievable experience. We finished second by only half a lap, which exceeded our expectations.
Last week our 6 teams (3 HPV and 3 Push Cart) competed in the biggest Victorian event in Maryborough, the Energy Breakthrough. We had an amazing time and have experienced memories that will stay with us for a lifetime.
Our 3 HPV teams finished 2nd, 6th and 10th out of 62 teams, while our 3 push cart teams finished 3rd, 5th and 12th. We had so much fun with our friends and it was amazing to see a year's worth of work pay off.
It has been an unforgettable experience for all of us. Thank you to Mr Zach, Mr Jenkins, Mr Veitch, family and friends for giving up their time to make this all possible for all of us.
Leah V and Aaradhya S L6
