Australian HPV Super Series

Australian HPV Super Series
Category Velomobile Racing
Country Australia Australia
Inaugural season 1986
Classes 4 (7 including female teams)
Teams 250+
Teams' champion Victoria (Australia) Aurora Racing
Official website www.pedalprix.com.au

The Australian HPV Super Series is an annual championship held primarily in South Australia featuring HPV's (human powered vehicles) racing around enclosed circuits for a period of either 6 or 24 hours.

The largest event of its kind anywhere in the world, it attracts teams from all around Australia. As of 2014, the championship consists of five rounds taking place at Loxton (SA), Adelaide (SA) twice, Busselton (WA), and Murray Bridge (SA) respectively.

2015 Australian HPV Super Series Championship

Dates

Event Location Duration Date
Round 1 Loxton, SA 6 Hour 3 May
Round 2 South Australia Victoria Park, Adelaide 6 Hour 14 June
Round 3 South Australia Victoria Park, Adelaide 6 Hour 26 July
Round 4 Western Australia Busselton, WA 6 Hour 9 August
Round 5 Murray Bridge, SA 24 Hour 19-20 September

Point System

Position
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th ... 244nd 245th 246th 247th 248th 249th 250th
250 249 248 247 246 245 244 243 242 241 240 239 238 237 236 235 234 233 232 231 ... 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

From 2014 season each teams best two rounds from the 6 hour races are added to their result from the 24 hour race to determine their Series Championship total.

Category Standings

Classification
First Second Third Point Finish Point Non-Finish Did Not Start
2015 Championship
Category 4
Pos. valign="middle" "width="4"| No. Team Bike Fairing* C/HB L1.
VP1.
South Australia
VP3.
South Australia
MB3.
Pts. Dif.
1
2
3
Category 3
Pos. valign="middle" "width="4"| No. Team Bike Fairing* C/HB L1.
VP1.
South Australia
VP3.
South Australia
MB3.
Pts. Dif.
1
2
3
Category 3[G]
Pos. valign="middle" "width="4"| No. Team Bike Fairing* C/HB L1.
VP1.
South Australia
VP3.
South Australia
MB3.
Pts. Dif.
1
2
3
Category 2
Pos. valign="middle" "width="4"| No. Team Bike Fairing* C/HB L1.
VP1.
South Australia
VP3.
South Australia
MB3.
Pts. Dif.
1
2
3
Category 2 [G]
Pos. valign="middle" "width="4"| No. Team Bike Fairing* C/HB L1.
VP1.
South Australia
VP3.
South Australia
MB3.
Pts. Dif.
1
2
3
Category 1
Pos. valign="middle" "width="4"| No. Team Bike Fairing* C/HB L1.
VP1.
South Australia
VP3.
South Australia
MB3.
Pts. Dif.
1
2
3
Category 1 [G]
Pos. valign="middle" "width="4"| No. Team Bike Fairing* C/HB L1.
VP1.
South Australia
VP3.
South Australia
MB3.
Pts. Dif.
1
2
3

History

In 1985, what would become the inaugural Pedal Prix race was held in the car park of the what was at the time the Underdale Campus of The University of South Australia on Holbrooks Road. There were less than a dozen participating teams. This event marks the start of the Australian HPV Super Series and at the time it generated tremendous interest. Vehicles varied considerably in sophistication and quality but the potential to get students involved in designing, making and testing the vehicles was readily apparent.

In 1986 the event was moved to the Road Safety Centre on Oaklands Road in Marion (currently being turned into a wetlands) to cater for the increased number of teams. Rules and standards were developed to guide teams in building vehicles so that they were safer. This site was considerably more complex with many corners and a hill to test riders and their vehicles.

The popularity of the event continued to grow and it soon became apparent that the number of entries was growing beyond the capacity of the Road Safety Centre. As a result, in 1992 the event was moved to the Adelaide International Raceway at Virginia, SA. This site easily catered for the increased number of entries. The wider, flatter track saw records for the distance travelled in the 24 hour endurance race increase. A major disadvantage of this site has been its openness and exposure to weather. Wind, dust and an uninteresting track layout had the committee looking for alternatives. 1996 marked the last time that petrol driven hybrids were allowed to participate. At various stages throughout the history of the 24 hour race there have been categories for petrol and solar hybrids as well as a commuter category where more than one rider was in the vehicle.

1997 saw the event moved to Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge, where for the first time public roads were sealed off specially for the event. It was felt that the new venue would comfortably accommodate the number of entries anticipated, provide a greater challenge for teams and provide a better atmosphere for all competitors, spectators and visitors.[1] The field at the first Murray Bridge totalled 90 teams. The record size for the competing field at Murray Bridge was 228 set in 2009.

In 2003, The HPV Super Series began, with a championship season that spanned 4 races. They included two 3 hour sprints on the same day and later a 6 hour race all at Victoria Park and then concluded with the 24 hour Murray Bridge event. The two 3 hour sprints were then replaced with a single 6 hour race. A 9 hour race was trialed once during 2009 in race 2 again at Victoria Park. The Current Series format is four 6 hour races and a 24 hour race.

The 2013 Murray Bridge event was the first to include teams representing five states/territories with teams from South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory present.

In 2014, a street circuit in Loxton, South Australia was introduced as the new opening round of a five round championship with a street circuit in Busselton, Western Australia introduced as the fourth round. The Murray Bridge street circuit remained as the final round and the two Victoria Park races remained, albeit now as the second and third rounds of the championship.

Notable riders

Racing Categories & Divisions

Categories (4)
Category 4 Community teams, University, Old Scholar and Technical/re-entry college teams.
  • Up to 10 riders per vehicle
Category 3 Senior Secondary, consists of Secondary School students under the age of 19 before Round 1
  • Up to 12 riders per vehicle
Category 2 Junior Secondary, consists of Secondary School students under the age of 16 before Round 1.
  • Up to 14 riders per vehicle
Category 1 Primary, consists of Primary School students only. (Year 6 & 7)
  • Up to 20 riders per vehicle

From 2006 a division for all Female teams was added to Categories 1, 2 & 3.

Divisions (3)
All Female Teams Categories 1, 2 & 3 have an all female team division
  • 20, 14 & 12 riders per vehicle respectively.

Categories 1, 2, 3 and 4 are assigned specific colours for their display numbers.

Category 4 - Blue Category 3 - White Category 2 - Yellow Category 1 - Orange


Loxton Street Circuit
Location Loxton, South Australia
Street Circuit (2014-present)
Length 1.37 km (0.85 mi)
Turns 8
Lap record 1:50.842 (Norwood Morialta / Focus)

Round 1 - Loxton, South Australia

Round 1, currently held in May, is six hours long and take place at Loxton, South Australia on a 1.53 km street circuit that incorporates Loxton's large center roundabout. The track made its debut for the 2014 season as a six hour race. This track heavily favors lighter bikes due to the climb on the southern side of the track.

Fastest individual Racing Lap

Greatest Race Distance


Victoria Park Criterium
Location Victoria Park, Adelaide
Criterium (2013-present)
Length 1.354 km (0.841 mi)
Turns 6
Lap record 1:26.779 (Platt Racing / Trump Trikes)
Short Track (2009-2012)
Length 1.114 km (0.692 mi)
Lap record 1:17.10 (Tru Blu / Tru Blu Racing)
Wakefield Rd Version (Initial-2009)
Length 1.540 km (0.957 mi)
Lap record 2:05.30 (ExPats / ExPats Racing)

Rounds 2 & 3 – Victoria Park, Adelaide, South Australia

Rounds 2 and 3, currently held in June and July respectively, are six hours long and take place at Victoria Park, Adelaide on a closed-criteruium track which is 1.354 km long. The fastest teams can achieve distances of over 250 km during these races. The Victoria Park track is now in its third incarnation. Prior to 2009 the track included an uphill segment of Wakefield Rd. From 2009 to 2012 the track used the southern hairpin and start line of the Clipsal 500 Track and a new section running parallel to Wakefield St. Late in 2012 it was confirmed by the Adelaide City Council that the redevelopment of Victoria Park had been given the green light. The redevelopment now includes an extension to the short track to take it past the heritage grandstand present on the site.[2] This track heavily favors the most aerodynamic bikes due to the lack of slow corners.

Fastest Individual Racing Lap

Greatest Race Distance


Busselton Street Circuit
Location Busselton, Western Australia
Street Circuit (2014-present)
Length 0.950 km (0.591 mi)

Round 4 – Busselton, Western Australia

Round 4, currently held in August, is six hours long and take place at Busselton, Western Australia on a street circuit. The track made its debut for the 2014 season as a six hour race.


Murray Bridge Pedal Prix Circuit
Location Murray Bridge, South Australia
Capacity 35,000
Major events 24 Hour
Current Layout (2004-present)
Length 2.061 km (1.28 mi)
Turns 15
Lap record 2:10.835 (Tru Blu / Tru Blu Racing)
Hairpin added (2002-2003)
Length 2.101 km (1.313 mi)
Turns 14
Inaugural Layout (1997-2001)
Length 1.695 km (1.059 mi)
Turns 7

Round 5 – Sturt Reserve, Murray Bridge, South Australia

The Australian HPV Super Series concludes in September with what is considered to be the premier HPV event in the country, the 24-hour, Round 5 race at Sturt Reserve in Murray Bridge. The event now attracts over 30,000 spectators and participants annually, becoming an economic boon for the town.[3][4] It attracts the best teams from all over the country[5] to what is considered the toughest and most competitive race. The closed-circuit track is 2.061 km long containing a series of left and right hand corners, fast straights and challenging corners. When flooded with over 200 teams it makes for genuinely tricky and exciting racing, The elite teams may cover over 1,000 km (620 mi) during the race. The race starts at 12:00 pm on Saturday and concludes 24 hours later. (note: In 2007 the race was stopped early due to gale force winds).

During the first race at Murray Bridge in 1997, the track by-passed the northern hairpin passing straight through from corner 3 to 9 resulting in the early track being approximately 366m shorter than its present layout. In 2000 the Northern Hairpin was added. In 2004 the corner leading up to the main straight was transformed to its current shape (shortening the track by 40m). This corner has had various sponsors names associated with it, it is known popularly as "Crash Corner". In 2011 the Southern Straight was resurfaced removing the roughest section of the track. This track requires bikes to have good aerodynamics, minimal weight and decent handling.

Friday Qualifying & Saturday Shootout

In 2005, a timed Friday night practice session was introduced. This session is used to determine the grid positions for the start of the race the following day. This also included the introduction of a Top 12 Shootout where the three fastest teams from each category were given the opportunity to set a lap time on a clear track on Saturday morning before the start of the race to determine the top 12 positions on the grid.

In 2008, the shootout was expanded to a Top 15 shootout to include the fastest all female team from categories 1, 2 and 3. The shootout has quickly become a crowd favourite since its introduction. Large crowds gather around the track to cheer on the fastest teams as they are given the opportunity to push their trikes to the limit on a clear track. Top teams exceed 70 km/h on the main straight during their flying lap.

Murray Bridge Records

Winners 24 Hour Pedal Prix - Murray Bridge

1997

1997
Category Team Trike Laps
4 Community Victoria (Australia) Team Reflex Reflex 287
3 Senior Secondary South Australia Pembroke School Super Road Dog 251
2 Junior SecondaryVictoria (Australia) Mount Eliza Secondary College Mercury 291
1 Primary School South Australia Magill Primary School Razors Edge 237

1998

1998
Category Team Trike Laps
4 Community Victoria (Australia) Trisled FastBack
3 Senior Secondary
2 Junior Secondary
1 Primary School South Australia Walford Anglican School WR1

1999

1999
Category Team Trike Laps
4 Community Victoria (Australia) Wonthaggi Secondary School Team Dragon
3 Senior SecondarySouth Australia Pulteney Grammar School Tempest
2 Junior SecondarySouth Australia Marryatville High School Perpetrator
4 Primary School South Australia Seymour College Seymour Parks

2000

2000
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community53 South Australia Team Bellotti EVO3 BY 1 368 32
3 Senior Secondary
2 Junior Secondary
1 Primary School South Australia Aberfoyle Hub School Cruising Hubcaps

2001

2001
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community50 South Australia Team Bellotti EVO3 BY 1 400 32
3 Senior Secondary South Australia Norwood Morialta Astro 131 367
2 Junior Secondary South Australia Gleeson College Scorpio 327
1 Primary School South Australia Aberfoyle Hub School Screaming Hubcaps 300

2002

2002 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Trisled
2002
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community 189 Victoria (Australia) Trisled Sorcerer 400
3 Senior Secondary
2 Junior Secondary
1 Primary School South Australia Aberfoyle Hub School

2003

2003 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Bendigo Youth Racing
2003
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community 195Victoria (Australia) Bendigo Youth Racing Bendigo Bank BYR 387 0:10
3 Senior Secondary125South Australia Gleeson College Taurus
2 Junior Secondary75Victoria (Australia) Berwick Secondary College Firebug
1 Primary School 144 South Australia Aberfoyle Hub School Lightning Hubcaps

Special Note Bendigo Youth Racings victory over Team Ballistic was the closest in the events history with only 10 seconds separating them after 24 hours.

2004

2004 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Bendigo Youth Racing
2004
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community 195Victoria (Australia) Bendigo Youth Racing Bendigo Bank BYR 427
3 Senior Secondary114Victoria (Australia) Berwick Secondary College Firestorm 409
2 Junior Secondary60South Australia Loxton High School Blur 3 385
1 Primary School South Australia Aberfoyle Hub School Burning Hubcaps 342

2005

2005 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Blueshift
2005
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community 34South Australia Hamilton Secondary College Blueshift 428 13
3 Senior Secondary30Victoria (Australia) Berwick Secondary College Firestorm
2 Junior Secondary235Victoria (Australia) Flora Hill Secondary College Beefcake Productions 6
1 Primary School 59South AustraliaAberfoyle Hub School Burning Hubcaps

2006

2006 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Ballistic
2006
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community 132South Australia Ballistic Ballistic 430 3
3 Senior Secondary 216Victoria (Australia) Bendigo SSC Grug 393 1
3 Senior Secondary [G] 65South Australia Loxton High School Blur 1 321
2 Junior Secondary 159Victoria (Australia) Flora Hill Secondary College Gumberton 388 21
2 Junior Secondary [G] 208South Australia Walford Anglican School WR3 315
1 Primary School 143South Australia St Therese Primary School Eco Racer 338 19
1 Primary School [G] 71South Australia Aberfoyle Hub School Cruising Hubcaps 279

2007

2007 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Blueshift
2007
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community 122South Australia TAFE SA Blueshift 435 2
3 Senior Secondary 189Victoria (Australia) Flora Hill Secondary College Buff Duck 412 19
3 Senior Secondary [G] 105South Australia Loxton High School Blur 1 271 16
2 Junior Secondary 188Victoria (Australia) Flora Hill Secondary College Sardine Extreme 403 17
2 Junior Secondary [G] 33South Australia Walford Anglican School WR1 329 42
1 Primary School 207Victoria (Australia) Weeroona College Bendigo Fill 334 15
1 Primary School [G] 20South Australia Aberfoyle Hub School Cruising Hubcaps 274 16

Special Note The 2007 race was only 23 hours long as it had to be cut short by an hour due to gale force winds.

2008

2008 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Tru Blu
2008
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community 13Victoria (Australia) Tru Blu Racing Tru Blu 475 1
3 Senior Secondary77 Victoria (Australia) Flora Hill Secondary College Old Bearded Mate 427 5
3 Senior Secondary [G] 44 South Australia Modbury High School Pink Panther 314 7
2 Junior Secondary62 Victoria (Australia) Flora Hill Secondary College Brum 397 19
2 Junior Secondary [G] 185 South Australia Walford Anglican School WR1 314 27
1 Primary School 215 South Australia Aberfoyle Hub School Flying Hubcaps 339 6
1 Primary School [G] 222 South Australia Aberfoyle Hub School Cruising Hubcaps 272 6

2009

2011 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Bendigo Youth Racing
2009
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community 49 Victoria (Australia) Bendigo Youth Racing BY-09 466 7
3 Senior Secondary 243 Victoria (Australia) Woodleigh School Baxter Helter Skelter 396 6
3 Senior Secondary [G] 135 South Australia Loxton High School Blur 1 321 9
2 Junior Secondary 178 Victoria (Australia) Weeroona College Bendigo Silver Bullet II 379 9
2 Junior Secondary [G] 270 South Australia Walford Anglican School for Girls WR1 314 30
1 Primary School 177 Victoria (Australia) Weeroona College Bendigo Bullet Proof 334 17
1 Primary School [G] 61 South Australia Aberfoyle Hub Primary School Cruising Hubcaps 292 17

2010

2010 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Tru Blu
2010
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community 149 Victoria (Australia) Tru Blu Racing Tru Blu 468 2
3 Senior Secondary 171 Victoria (Australia) Bendigo SSC Squirrel 422 17
3 Senior Secondary [G] 212 South Australia Loxton High School Blur 1 340 42
2 Junior Secondary 119 South Australia Loxton High School Blur 2 383 17
2 Junior Secondary [G] 71 South Australia Loreto College, Marryatville Felicity 317 2
1 Primary School 68 South Australia Aberfoyle Hub Primary School Flying Hubcaps 317 1
1 Primary School [G] 77 South Australia St Michaels Handorf Hills Angels 243 6

2011

2011 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Team Phantom
2011
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community 3 Victoria (Australia) Team Phantom Re-newbi-ed 497 1
3 Senior Secondary 19 South Australia Pembroke School, Adelaide Paradox 397 2
3 Senior Secondary [G] 13 Victoria (Australia) EDEC HPV Team Victorious Secret 369 30
2 Junior Secondary 82 Victoria (Australia) Woodleigh School Baxter Helter Skelter 397 4
2 Junior Secondary [G] 229 South Australia Wudinna Area School Venus 365 28
1 Primary School 46 South Australia St Michaels Hahndorf Hahndorf Hornets Red 353 10
1 Primary School [G] 187 South Australia Walford Anglican WR4 246 8

2012

2012 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Tru Blu.
2012
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community 24 Victoria (Australia) Tru Blu Racing Tru Blu 522 1
3 Senior Secondary 39 Victoria (Australia) Bendigo SSC Gunna Have a Bad Time 477 37
3 Senior Secondary [G] 10 Victoria (Australia) EDEC HPV Team Victorious Secret 360 4
2 Junior Secondary 9Victoria (Australia) EDEC HPV Team Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies 410 17
2 Junior Secondary [G] 225South Australia Wudinna Area School Venus 374 36
1 Primary School87 South Australia Highgate SchoolHighgate Hot Rod 355 3
1 Primary Scool [G] 186 South Australia Walford Anglican WR4 272 65

2013

2013 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Tru Blu
2013
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community85 Victoria (Australia) Tru Blu Racing Tru Blu 524 10
3 Senior Secondary 2 South Australia Pembroke School Tis But A Scratch 461 13
3 Senior Secondary [G] 62 Victoria (Australia) Bendigo SSC Trevors' Great Escape 390 3
2 Junior Secondary 9 South Australia Pembroke School Paradox 404 2
2 Junior Secondary [G] 6 South Australia Scotch College SCR-1 358 4
1 Primary School121 South Australia Crafers Primary SchoolThe Edge 345 11
1 Primary Scool [G] 84 Victoria (Australia) Murrayville CC Hot M 320 38

2014

2014 Murray Bridge 24 Hour outright winner: Platt Racing
2014
Category No. Team Trike Laps VM.
4 Community127 Victoria (Australia) Platt Racing Trump Trikes 533 3
4 Community [G]45 Victoria (Australia) EDEC HPV Racing Team CWC 372 n/a
3 Senior Secondary 90 Victoria (Australia) Bendigo SSC Grand Theft Mango 466 11
3 Senior Secondary [G] 41 South Australia Loxton High School She's A Blur 333 8
2 Junior Secondary 11 South Australia Pembroke School Eric The Half Bee 416 9
2 Junior Secondary [G] 6 South Australia Scotch College SCR-1 360 18
1 Primary School202 South Australia Highgate School Highgate Hot Rod 350 4
1 Primary School [G] 55 South Australia Seymour College Blackwatch Racing Jnr 281 32

Previous Championships

2006 Championship

2007 Championship

2008 Championship

2009 Championship

2010 Championship

2011 Championship

2012 Championship

2013 Championship

2014 Championship

Championship Records

Other Australian HPV Races

References

  1. Parker, Leon. "Brief history of the event", pedalprix.org.au, Adelaide, 1997. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.
  2. "Victoria Park Criterium Track to be extended", Adelaide City Council, Adelaide, December 2012. Retrieved on 13 December 2012.
  3. Ramann, Nick. "Keep on Pedalling", samotor Magazine, Adelaide, September 2003. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.
  4. "Rural City of Murray Bridge Pedal Prix Impact Assessment Report", Dynamic Project Delivery, Murray Bridge, November 2007. Retrieved on 30 November 2012.
  5. Johnstone, Eloise. "Students win at Pedal Prix", Bendigo Advertiser, Bendigo, 2 October 2012. Retrieved on 11 November 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Australian International Pedal Prix.