
DURING the past three months two Kloof High School pupils were busy designing and constructing a gravity-powered vehicle which they used to compete in the Gordon Murray Downhill Challenge in Glenwood’s Alan Paton (McDonald) Road on Sunday 28 July.
Paul Reed and Ivan Garroch competed against 30 other teams in the open division which included the likes of the University of KwaZulu-Natal team. With Paul in the driver’s seat, the Kloof High School team was placed seventh in the time trials and was only 0.8 seconds behind the UKZN Engineering Department’s team.
Unfortunately a skateboarder crashed into their car while it was being towed, possibly damaging the brake calliper. This led to the brakes failing and the team being disqualified in the elimination round. Before being eliminated they had been placed third in the open division.
Paul and Ivan, under the guidance of Avash Juggernath, are currently planning a new and improved car and are keen to start a race in the Kloof area.